Method and apparatus for stabalizing power on an electrical grid using networked distributed energy storage systems

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention include control methods employed in multiphase distributed energy storage systems that are located behind utility meters typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations. These distributed energy storage systems can operate semi-autonomously, and can be configured to develop energy control solutions for an electric load location based on various data inputs and communicate these energy control solutions to the distributed energy storage systems. In some embodiments, one or more distributed energy storage systems may be used to absorb and/or deliver power to the electric grid in an effort to provide assistance to or correct for power transmission and distribution problems found on the electric grid outside of an electric load location. In some cases, two or more distributed energy storage systems are used to form a controlled and coordinated response to the problems seen on the electric grid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/720,940, filed Oct. 31, 2012 [Atty. Dkt. No. STEM/0015L], this application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/061,643, filed Oct. 23, 2013 [Atty. Dkt No. STEM/0014], which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/717,528, filed Oct. 23, 2012 [Atty. Dkt. STEM/0014USL], and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/026,993, filed Sep. 13, 2013 [Atty. Dkt. No. STEM/0012], which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/700,840, filed Sep. 13, 2012 [Atty. Dkt No. STEM/0012L] and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/801,274, filed Mar. 15, 2013 [Atty. Dkt No. STEM/0016L], which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and an apparatus for controlling fluctuations in power and amount of power used at an electric load location and/or on an electrical grid.

2. Description of the Related Art

Energy demand at a commercial site, such as a business, or at home will vary over the time of day. In a typical home or hotel setting, there is a peak in the morning when the occupants get up and when the occupants return home at the end of the day. This typically creates two demand peaks during a normal day. Commercial buildings tend to follow different patterns depending on the nature of the business. For example, usage is typically low when a commercial building is closed, and may be relatively constant or fluctuate between moderate to high levels depending on the type of business when the building is open. For example, a car wash may have more fluctuations in its energy use than an office building in a moderate climate.

The cost to a utility for generating or purchasing electrical energy increases dramatically during periods of peak use versus periods of off-peak usage. In order to compensate for the higher peak-hours costs, utility companies often employ time of day-based rate schedules, charging a significantly higher rate for electrical energy (e.g., cost per kilowatt-hour (kW-hr)) consumed during peak usage hours as compared to energy consumed during off-peak hours. For example, homes and businesses may pay for electricity on a per-kilowatt hour basis with one rate applying during off-peak hours, and another, higher, rate applying during peak hours. The higher rates charged during peak usage periods can lead to significantly higher energy costs for the user, especially when the user's period(s) of high demand coincides with or falls within the interval set by the utility as peak hours.

Devices have been developed that help users reduce the cost of electricity purchases from the power grid by storing electricity in energy storage mediums, such as batteries, that can be “drawn down” during peak hours to reduce demand from the grid. The batteries can be charged during non-peak hours, thus reducing the total cost of electricity, and, during favorable conditions, electricity can even be sold back to the grid. This process is often referred to as “energy arbitrage,” which is generally the storing of energy at one time of day and then the discharging of energy at another time, effectively shifting energy consumption from one time period to another.

Energy storage mediums, especially battery energy storage, are expensive and, while various techniques are known by which an energy storage system can be used to optimize energy use at a business or home, such techniques are generally inefficient in applying stored energy to effectively control the energy use at an electric load location. Consequently, an impractical quantity of energy storage mediums are required at an electric load location to realize useful energy arbitrage. Generally, such energy storage systems use simple methods for controlling the charging and discharging of power provided to offset peak demands. For example, two approaches commonly used in energy storage systems include: Using a simple timer to control charge times of the energy storage system (typically during off-peak hours) and discharge times (typically during peak demand hours); and using a single demand set-point that the storage system reacts to while monitoring and controlling the energy use of the business or home location. A single demand set-point generally is a single level set-point to which the controlling element in an energy storage system will control during operation. Each of these approaches generally requires an uneconomical amount of energy storage capacity in order to offset demand peaks at the electric load location. Furthermore, use of a single demand set-point typically results in an energy storage system running out of energy storage availability due to over-reaction of the controlling components to the demand set point set by the controlling system. Thus, a need exists for power charge and discharge systems and methods that more effectively utilize the consumable energy storage medium components in an energy storage system.

Today's electrical power grid in the United States consists primarily of large synchronous power generators, such as hydroelectric generating facilities and natural gas combustion turbines. In the United States, these types of power generators generate electricity to meet demand at a frequency of 60 Hz. If a source of electricity from a large power generator (e.g., power plant) is dramatically reduced, system frequency and the speed of other system interconnected generators, which are electrically connected to the grid, will decrease. To compensate for the shift in frequency, the other conventional power generators, at one or more generating facilities that are attached to the grid, automatically respond via their governor control schemes by creating more power to increase the system generators' speed and frequency, attempting to bring system frequency back to 60 Hz. Additionally, in an oversupply situation, for example if a wind farm unexpectedly increases production through a large wind deviation over its scheduled production level, system frequency increases and the other synchronous generators that are connected to the grid reduce their production to automatically bring the system frequency back down closer to 60 Hz. The stability of the electrical power grid has been changing with an increase in the number of wind and solar generators that are not equipped with automatic governor controls and are displacing the quantity of power delivered by traditional synchronous generators. Not only is wind and solar generation unpredictable, but these generators also have no automatic control schemes to help maintain system synchronous speed and no event response capability during their process of delivering power to the grid. This creates a significant and growing need for automatic frequency balancing grid-connected devices to maintain 60 Hz. These devices must not only be able to balance frequency events frequently and repeatedly, but also act very quickly to help stabilize the system frequency as the radiation of the sun and the speed of the wind change renewable production levels constantly and near instantaneously. Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus that is able to help minimize, reduce and/or prevent and correct for fluctuations in the frequency and/or power being transmitted across local and larger electric interconnected grids.

Also, an electric grid exists to move electric power from energy sources, such as power generators, to energy sinks, such as power users. Distribution grids move this power over short distances, while transmission grids allow for electricity transmission over long distances. During grid events, such as when there is electricity supply disruption, due to transmission or generation failure or renewable energy source(s) variability, electricity generation from the power generators can become out of step, or sync. The lack of synchronization can both be due to the time it takes for power to travel over long distances and the different speeds at which generators respond to meet these demand and supply changes. Therefore, the relative power angle (e.g., angular difference in the phasor angles of voltages at different points along a transmission system) becomes out of sync across geographically disparate areas, and power oscillations occur. The power oscillations create swings in the amount of power cycling back and forth on the transmission and distribution lines that can both damage transmission and distribution equipment and create additional energy losses in the power lines, thereby de-rating the grid's transmission capacity.

FIG. 20 illustrates a graph of the amount of power flowing through a portion of the electric grid as a function of time (i.e., curve 2001). As illustrated in FIG. 20, the graph illustrates two different grid events and their effect on the power flowing through the portion of the electric grid. In this example, a first grid event (e.g., Event 1) is experienced by the grid at a time of about 200 seconds. While oscillation in the power flow in the grid does occur after the first grid event, the amount of power fluctuation is not significant enough to cause large fluctuations in the power flowing in the electric grid. However, one will note that the second grid event (e.g., Event 2) causes a much larger drop in power flowing through the electric grid which causes larger undamped oscillations to occur in the electric grid, as the power generator attached to the electric grid try to correct for the drop in power transmission through the grid. Typically, these power oscillations cannot be measured at a single node on the grid, and thus require multiple measurement nodes to determine the oscillation.

It is believed that the undesirable effect of having the relative power angles from two or more power generators being out of sync becomes a larger issue when moderate to large power fluctuations occur within the grid (e.g., oversupply or undersupply situations caused by a grid event). California's transmission grid has several transmission lines with constant power oscillations, some of which cause the transmission operator to place significant restrictions on transmission line capacity (e.g., restrictions on the power delivery). This, in turn, restricts the import of clean and inexpensive hydropower from the Pacific Northwest, for example.

As an example, if Los Angeles experiences a large load in the late afternoon of a hot day and a nearby power plant or transmission line fails, then there is a sudden undersupply scenario in the power distribution and transmission grid in Southern California. The local power generators in Southern California “see” a new electricity demand, due to failure of the power plant, as do distant power generators in the Northwest. One will note that the Northwest power generators are coupled to the Southern California power grid by use of various transmission lines that form part of the power grid in California. Then both the local and Northwest power generators respond to meet the increased power demand created by the power plant failure, but the generators in the Northwest are generally relatively slower to respond, due to electrical transmission delays and the nature of the power generating devices used to supply power to the grid. The difference in the timing of the delivery of power from the local and Northwest power generators then creates an oversupply situation in Southern California, as both power generators try to compensate for the variation in the power demand. Then, to compensate for the oversupply situation, the local generators reduce their amount of power generation, as do the distant Northwest power generators. Therefore, again, an undersupply situation occurs as both generators try to compensate for the over-supply situation. This sequence occurs over and over again as the power flowing through the transmission lines in the California grid repeatedly oscillates back and forth, due to this generator cycling. The relative power angle between these two generators increases and decreases as the oscillations occur.

Greater occurrences of these power swings and instability in the delivery of power through the various grid distribution and transmission lines have been happening more frequently across the US. The North American Synchrophasor Initiative (NASPI) is currently building a monitoring system to detect and analyze system oscillations across the US power grid to better understand the affect of the displacement of a large number and quantity of conventional synchronous generation with variable renewable supply sources, such as wind and solar power generators. There is a belief that the addition of renewable energy source will cause the electric grid to become more unstable as more conventional synchronous generation are displaced by the variable power generation created by most renewable energy sources.

Moreover, today's electric power grid is also increasingly threatened by variable electricity demand and the addition of intermittent supply from many different types of power generators, such as renewable energy power generators, fast acting natural gas power generators and fossil fuel power generators. Maintaining a balance between supply and demand is critical to maintaining grid stability and the nominal system frequency (60 Hz) of the grid. Maintaining a balance is also needed to assure that equipment connected to the electric grid will not be damaged by the variability and to assure that the equipment connected to the grid will function properly. In one example, electricity within the electric power grid varies due to the variable input received from renewable power source generators, such as when solar panels become obstructed (e.g., clouds cover the sun), and/or the wind speed changes thereby changing the output of a wind generator, the balance between electricity supply and demand can change almost instantly. FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate a twelve hour and a one hour plot, respectively, of the power delivery fluctuations created by a solar generation farm, which were measured at ten second and one second sampling intervals, respectively. The fluctuating supply of power in the electric grid creates issues for the electric grid equipment originally designed to balance slower-changing load/demand and supply. Mechanically actuated equipment like load tap changing transformers (LTCs), voltage regulators, and switched capacitors are unable to switch fast enough or often enough in order to support or compensate for this variability. Their mechanical nature results in equipment that is not able to meet the needs of today's changing electric grid design. The increased variability will result in utility equipment having shorter lifespan and utility customer's equipment being damaged more frequently as voltage, current and/or power fluctuations become uncontrollable and exceed acceptable tolerances.

Therefore, there is a need for a system that can help damp or minimize the power fluctuations, power oscillation and/or frequency/supply variations found in at least a portion of the electrical power grid that occur due to normal or abnormal power generation or power transmission events. There is also a need for fast-acting resource(s) that can quickly supply or store energy and eliminate system instability and power swings, which are created by the addition of renewable sources and other fast acting power generators intermittently delivering power to the grid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include control methods employed in multiphase distributed energy storage systems that are located behind utility meters typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations. According to such control methods, these multiphase distributed energy storage systems will generally operate semi-autonomously, but each may be in frequent contact with a cloud-based optimization engine that is configured to develop and communicate various energy control solutions to one or more of the distributed energy storage systems. One of the goals of an installed multiphase distributed energy storage system is to monitor the location's electric load and electricity use at its specific electric load location, and discharge at times of high demand peaks in order to reduce the peak power provided by the electric grid, while maximizing the finite amount of energy stored in the consumable energy storage components in the distributed energy storage system. In some embodiments, one or more distributed energy storage systems may be used to absorb and/or deliver power to the electric grid in an effort to provide assistance to or correct for power transmission and distribution problems found on the electric grid found outside of an electric load location. To provide assistance to or correct problems found on the electric grid, multiple distributed energy storage systems, which are in communication with each other and/or an operations center, are used to form a controlled and coordinated response to the problems seen on the electric grid.

Embodiments of the invention may provide a system for managing power flow within a grid, comprising a first energy storage device that is in electric communication with a first electric power line that is connected to at least a portion of an electric power grid, wherein the first energy storage device comprises a first energy source and a first controller that is in communication with the first energy storage device and a first sensor configured to measure an amount of power transmitted through the first electric power line. The first controller is also configured to control a transfer of energy between the first electric power line and the first energy storage device based on information generated by the first sensor, and is further configured to receive grid power information relating to measurements made by two or more second sensors that are coupled to different parts of the electric power grid, and control a transfer of energy between the first electric power line and the first energy storage device based the received grid power information.

Embodiments of the invention may further provide a system for managing power flow within a grid, comprising a first energy storage device that is in electric communication with a first electric power line that is configured to transmit electric power within at least a portion of an electric power grid, wherein the first energy storage device comprises a first energy source, a first controller and a first sensor, and the first controller is configured to control a transfer of energy between the first electric power line and the first energy storage device based on information generated by the first sensor and a second energy storage device that is in electric communication with a second electric power line that is configured to transmit electric power within at least a portion of the electric power grid, wherein the second energy storage device comprises a second energy source, a second controller and a second sensor, and the second controller is configured to control a transfer of energy between the second electric power line and the second energy storage device based on information generated by the first sensor, and a grid services controller that is configured to receive information relating to a frequency of the power transmitted through the first electric power line from a first sensor and to receive grid power information relating to measurements made by two or more second sensors that are coupled to different parts of the electric power grid, and to transfer a control signal to the first controller and the second controller wherein the control signal is derived from the information generated by the first sensor and the two or more second sensors.

Embodiments of the invention may further provide a method of managing power flow within a grid, comprising receiving phase angle information, wherein the received phase angle information is derived from information collected by two or more first sensors that are configured to measure the power transmitted through at least a portion of an electric power grid, and each of the two or more first sensors are coupled to different parts of the portion of the electric power grid, and controlling a transfer of power between a plurality of distributed energy storage devices that are in electrical communication with the portion of the electric power grid based on information derived from the information collected by the two or more first sensors.

Embodiments of the invention may further provide a system for managing power, comprising a first energy storage device that is in electric communication with a first electric power line that is coupled to at least a portion of an electric power grid, wherein the first energy storage device comprises a first energy source, and a first controller that is in communication with the first energy storage device and a first sensor configured to measure a frequency of the power transmitted through the first electric power line, wherein the first controller is configured to control a transfer of energy between the first electric power line and the first energy storage device based on information generated by the first sensor. The system may further comprise a second energy storage device that is in electric communication with a second electric power line that is interconnected to at least a portion of the electric power grid, wherein the second energy storage device comprises a second energy source, and a second controller that is coupled to the second energy storage device, and is configured to control a transfer of energy between the second electric power line and the second energy storage device, and a grid services controller that is configured to deliver a control signal to the first and second controllers, wherein the control signal is based on information generated by the first sensor.

Embodiments of the invention may further provide a system for managing power, comprising a first energy storage device that is in electric communication with a first electric power line that is configured to transmit electric power within at least a portion of an electric power grid, wherein the first energy storage device comprises a first energy source and a first controller, a second energy storage device that is in electric communication with a second electric power line that is configured to transmit electric power within at least a portion of the electric power grid, wherein the second energy storage device comprises a second energy source and a second controller, and a grid services controller that is configured to receive information relating to a frequency of the power transmitted through the first electric power line from a first sensor, and to transfer a control signal to the first controller and the second controller wherein the control signal is derived from the information generated by the first sensor.

Embodiments of the invention may further provide a method of managing power at an electric load location, comprising monitoring a frequency of the power transmitted through an electric power line and/or monitoring the oscillation of power in a portion of an electric power grid, wherein the electric power line is configured to transmit electric power within at least a first portion of the electric power grid, and controlling a transfer of power between a first energy storage device and the electric power line based on data received by monitoring the frequency of the power transmitted through the electric power line and/or controlling a transfer of power between a first energy storage device and the electric power line based on data received by monitoring the oscillation of power in a portion of an electric power grid.

Embodiments of the invention may further provide a system for controlling the transfer of energy between an electric load location and an electric grid comprises a power monitor, an optimization engine, and a system controller. The power monitor is configured to monitor electric power usage at a point of common coupling with an electric meter and an electric load at a common location, wherein the electric meter is configured to measure power transferred to the electric load location through the electric power line. The optimization engine is configured to receive one or more external inputs and create a set of operating parameters based on the one or more external inputs. The system controller is configured to receive the created operating parameters and use the operating parameters to control an amount of energy flowing through the electric power line below a threshold value.

Embodiments of the invention may further provide a system for controlling energy transferred between an electric grid and an electric load location comprises an optimization engine and a distributed energy source. The optimization engine is configured to receive one or more external inputs and create one or more operating control curves based on the one or more external inputs. The distributed energy source comprises a system controller and a power monitor that is configured to monitor an electric power line that is coupled to an electric meter, wherein the system controller is configured to receive the one or more operating control curves, compare the one or more operating control curves to information received from the power monitor, and control a transfer of energy from or to the electric power line from an energy source based on the computation.

Embodiments of the invention may further provide a method of controlling energy transferred between an electric grid and an electric load location comprises monitoring a first rate of energy transfer from an electric power line to the electric load location, wherein the electric power line is coupled to an electric meter adapted to determine power transferred between the electric load location and the electric grid, receiving a first set of operating parameters that are created based on one or more received external inputs and, based on the first set of operating parameters, varying the energy transfer from an energy source to the electric power line to cause the first rate of energy transfer to remain below a threshold value, wherein the threshold value varies with time.

Embodiments of the invention may further provide a computer readable medium configured to store instructions executable by a processor of a host device, the instructions when executed by the processor causing the processor to generate control parameters based on a simulation that is performed using forecast information, monitor a first rate of energy transfer from an electric power line to an electric load location and control a second rate of energy transfer between the electric power line and an energy source based on the control parameters, wherein controlling the second rate of energy transfer alters the first rate of energy transfer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of distributed energy storage systems that are each positioned at an electric load location that is interconnected to an electrical grid, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A schematically illustrates one embodiment of a distributed energy storage system that is disposed at an electric load location, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B schematically illustrates two electric load locations that are each interconnected to the electric grid through an electric grid and include a distributed energy storage system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2C schematically illustrates a single electric load location that is interconnected to the electric grid through two electric meters, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process flow diagram for controlling the fluctuation of power at an electric load location and/or power level being drawn by one or more electric load(s) at the electric load location by use of a distributed energy storage system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the operation method and information flow provided to and/or used by a set-point controller, according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the operation method and information flow provided to and/or used by a runtime controller, according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an overview of a communication process between an optimization engine, a simulator farm, and a distributed energy storage system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an overview of a system simulator process, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8A is a graph that illustrates the performance over a business day of a prior art energy storage system using a single-demand set-point.

FIG. 8B is a graph that illustrates the performance over a business day of an energy storage system configured according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8C is a graph that illustrates the performance over a business day of an energy storage system configured according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a control system that includes an optimization engine and is configured to generate operating parameters for an energy storage system controller, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a general process sequence used by a control system to create and deliver forecast and control information to one or more distributed energy storage systems, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a process sequence used by a coefficient engine to create updated coefficients for one or more of the distributed energy storage systems associated with a control system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a process sequence used by a forecast engine to generate forward-looking forecasted load profiles for a particular electric load location serviced by a distributed energy storage system associated with the control system.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a process sequence used by a simulation engine to determine optimal set-points and battery curves, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a process sequence used by a solution engine to generate a solution of optimal set-points and battery curves for a distributed energy storage system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15A illustrates a flat battery curve, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15B illustrates a stepped battery curve, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15C illustrates a continuously varying battery curve, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a process sequence used by an optimization engine to generate and distribute an optimal battery curve for a distributed energy storage system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating an example of a corrected electric grid frequency excursion event versus time, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a plurality of distributed energy storage systems that are interconnected to different regions of an electrical grid, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a process sequence used to correct a detected electrical grid event, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates a graph of the amount of power flowing through a portion of the electric grid as a function of time.

FIG. 21 illustrates a plurality of distributed energy storage systems that are interconnected to different regions of an electrical grid, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a process sequence used to correct a detected electrical grid event, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 illustrates a graph of the amount of power flowing through a portion of the electric grid from a solar energy source as a function of time, wherein the data is measured at a ten second interval.

FIG. 24 illustrates a graph of the amount of power flowing through a portion of the electric grid from a solar energy source as a function of time, wherein the data is measured at a one second interval.

FIG. 25 illustrates a plurality of distributed energy storage systems that are interconnected to different regions of an electrical grid, according to one embodiment of the invention.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation. The drawings referred to here should not be understood as being drawn to scale unless specifically noted. Also, the drawings are often simplified and details or components omitted for clarity of presentation and explanation. The drawings and discussion serve to explain principles discussed below, where like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention include control methods employed in multiphase distributed energy storage systems that are located behind utility meters typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations and/or are connected along various parts of an electric grid. These distributed energy storage systems can operate semi-autonomously, but each may be in frequent contact with a cloud-based optimization engine that is configured to develop energy control solutions based on various data inputs and to communicate these energy control solutions to the distributed energy storage systems. Each installed distributed energy storage system can be used to monitor or receive information about the electricity use at its specific location and information relating to the power transmission and distribution on the electric grid. In an effort to control the local demand, the distributed energy storage system can discharge at times of high demand peaks in order to reduce the peak power provided by the electric grid, while maximizing the finite amount of energy stored in the consumable energy storage components in the distributed energy storage system. To perform this task the distributed energy storage system may control the kilowatt demand of the local electric load location by controlling the control set-point over time by discharging energy sources, such as DC batteries, through one or more bidirectional power converters. These systems generally recharge at times of low demand and/or low electricity rates. From the utility's perspective, demand spike reduction is more valuable than the act of consuming additional energy during periods of lower demand.

In some embodiments, one or more distributed energy storage systems may be used to absorb and/or deliver power to the electric grid in an effort to provide assistance to or correct for rapid fluctuations in the power flowing through the electric grid and other power transmission problems, such as oscillations in the power flow and frequency variations in the delivered power, found on the electric grid outside of an electric load location. To provide assistance to or correct problems found on the electric grid, a plurality of distributed energy storage systems, which are in communication with each other and/or an operations center, are used to form a controlled and coordinated response to the problems seen on the electric grid.

Distributed Energy Storage Systems and Demand Control Solutions

FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of distributed energy storage systems 103 that are each positioned at an electric load location 104 that is coupled, or connected, to an electrical grid 102, according to one embodiment of the invention. The electrical grid 102 will generally be connected to one or more electric load locations 104 and one or more power plants 102A that are adapted to deliver electric power to the electric grid 102. In general, an electric utility will help provide and/or deliver power to each of the electric load locations 104 in a region of the electric grid 102. In some cases, the tariff structure, such as electric rates and billing schedules, for different electric utilities may vary from region to region within the electric grid 102. The distributed energy storage systems 103, also referred to as advanced energy systems (AESs), are coupled to the electric grid 102. Consequently, the distributed energy storage systems 103 may be in communication with other distributed energy storage systems 103 distributed along the electric grid 102 and may be in communication with an operations center 109. The operations center 109 may include software and hardware components that are configured to store, retrieve operation information from, and transmit operation information to each distributed energy storage system 103 to control the power fluctuations and power delivery at each respective electric load location 104. In some cases, the operation information may include environmental data, control set point information, device commands and other useful information. Distributed energy storage systems 103 in the different regions of the grid are generally able to account for differences in power pricing (including energy tariffs and real-time energy pricing), differences in weather, differences in the health of the electric grid, and other external and internal electric power usage differences to provide an optimized and/or customized control of the power at each electric load location 104.

Embodiments of the invention use a control method employed in the distributed energy storage systems 103 located behind a utility's electric meter 201 (FIGS. 2A-2C) typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations. FIG. 2A schematically illustrates one embodiment of a distributed energy storage system 103 that is disposed at an electric load location 104. The distributed energy storage system 103 may include a power monitor 230, one or more power controllers 222, which are coupled (or connected) to an energy source 224, and a system controller 210. The electric load location 104 typically contains an electric meter 201 that is coupled to the electric grid 102 and is used by the utility to track electricity usage at the electric load location 104. The electric meter 201 is configured to provide power to one or more electric loads that are connected to a breaker panel 240 (e.g., three electric loads 241A-241C are shown in FIG. 2A).

In one example, the electric meter 201 is configured to distribute power to the electric loads 241A-241C along one or more phases that are each coupled to the breaker panel 240 along a conducting element 235. In general, an electric load can be any device that uses electrical energy at an electric load location 104, and may include, for example, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, lighting, and other electronics units that receive power from the electric grid 102. Each electric load 241A-241C may separately draw power through each conducting element 235. The amount of power passing through the conducting element 235 is monitored by a sensor 234 disposed in the power monitor 230. The power monitor 230 will typically include one or more sensors 234 (e.g., voltage sensor and/or current sensor) that are configured to monitor and deliver a signal to a power monitor controller 232 that is configured to process and deliver data relating to the time varying current (A), voltage (V) and/or power (W) delivered on the one or more phases to the system controller 210, and in some cases time varying current, voltage and/or power data to the operations center 109. In general, the power monitor 230 can be used to measure power transferred through one or more electric power lines at the electric load location 104, wherein the act of measuring the power transferred between the one or more electric power lines and the distributed energy storage system 103 may include either measuring current (A), voltage (V) and/or power (W).

To control fluctuation in power and/or power level being drawn by each of the electric loads 241A-241C in an electric load location 104, the distributed energy storage system 103 typically includes one or more power controllers 222 that are configured to control the delivery of power to the electric grid 102 or absorption of power received from the electric grid 102 by use of a connected energy source 224. In one embodiment, the power controllers 222 include one or more bidirectional power converters 225 (shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C) that are capable of quickly converting stored DC energy found in the energy source 224 to the grid AC electricity and grid AC electricity back to DC energy that is stored in the energy source 224. An example of a bidirectional power converter that may be adapted for use with the distributed energy storage systems disclosed herein is further described in the commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/731,070, which was filed Mar. 24, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference.

The distributed energy storage systems 103 can operate autonomously, but generally may be in frequent contact with a cloud-based optimization engine that may be located in the operations center 109. The optimization engine 1031, which is discussed further below, can take in various data inputs and develop optimal energy control solutions which are passed back down to one or more of the distributed energy storage systems 103. In most cases, the primary goal of the installed distributed energy storage system 103 is to keep kilowatt demand of the electric load location 104 from exceeding certain set-point(s), which may be altered at different times of the day. Simply, this occurs by discharging the energy stored in the energy source 224, such as energy storage devices that may include DC batteries, through the bidirectional power converter 225 during peak demand events. In some embodiments, the distributed energy storage systems 103 also manage the battery state-of-charge by recharging energy source 224 during periods of lower demand. The state-of-charge represents the amount of energy stored in the storage medium of energy source 224 (e.g., batteries), which can be converted to electrical energy at any time of day, for example during a peak demand event. The distributed energy storage system 103 is generally intelligent enough to ensure that there is adequate energy stored in the energy source 224 to be able to offset at least a portion of high-demand events. Also, the controlling elements (e.g., system controller 210) in the energy storage system 103 can be used to prevent the unwanted exhaustion of the stored energy in the energy source 224 during non-high demand times, due to an unscheduled or unforeseen demand during these non-critical and low energy cost times. Thus, employing a control system that is based on predictive data can reduce total energy cost to the customer and/or to help make the wider electric grid cleaner. Therefore, energy storage systems that can predict the occurrence of peak demand events allow the energy storage system to better manage the state-of-charge of the energy storage medium in the energy source 224, and maximize the amount of time that the energy storage components are available to be used to reduce demand spikes during a day, and especially demand spikes during times of high cost and high-demand on the grid.

The system controller 210 typically includes a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown), memory (not shown), and support circuits (or I/O) (not shown). The CPU may be one of any form of computer processor that is used for controlling various system functions and support hardware and monitoring the processes being controlled by and within the distributed energy storage systems 103. The memory is coupled to the CPU, and may be one or more of a readily available memory, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, or any other form of digital storage, local or remote. Software instructions (or computer instructions) and data may be coded and stored within the memory for instructing the CPU. The software instructions may include a program that determines which tasks are to be performed at any instant in time. The support circuits are also connected to the CPU for supporting the processor in a conventional manner. The support circuits may include cache, power supplies, clock circuits, input/output circuitry, subsystems, and the like. The system controller 210 is configured to receive information from and deliver control commands to the source power controller 223 found in the one or more power controllers 222 via a wired or wireless communication link 223A. The system controller 210 is also configured to receive information from the power monitor 230 via a wired or wireless link 209 and from the operations center 109 via a wired or wireless link 109A.

In one embodiment, the system controller 210 also includes a plurality of software based controlling elements that are adapted to synchronize and control the transfer of power between the conducting element 235 that is interconnected to (or electrically coupled to) the electric grid 102 based on computer instructions retained in the memory of the system controller 210. The software based controlling elements found in the system controller 210 include a solution manager 202, a set point controller 204, and a run time controller 206. In some embodiments, the software based controlling elements may also include an optional offset controller 208 and/or an local power controller 207.

FIG. 2B schematically illustrates two electric load locations 104 that are each interconnected to the electric grid 102 through an electric meter 201 and include a distributed energy storage system 103. In this example, each of the distributed energy storage systems 103 are in communication with each other through a link 109B. In one embodiment, the link 109B is created using wired or wireless communication components found in the power monitor controller 232, so that the control between electric load locations 104 can be coordinated. For clarity, the electric loads 241A-241C are not show in the distributed energy storage systems 103 of FIG. 2B.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the distributed energy storage systems 103 each include one or more power controllers 222 that are interconnected to an energy source 224 and include a source power controller 223 and a bidirectional power converter 225. The energy source 224 may include one or more batteries 227 that may be coupled in series, so as to provide a desirable output voltage (Volts) to the bidirectional power converter 225 and provide a desirable storage capacity (Amp-hrs). The bidirectional power converter 225 may include one or more software and/or hardware components (e.g., bridge rectifiers, power transistors, transformers, resistors, capacitors, diodes) that are capable of controlling the delivery and absorption of power from the electric grid 102. In some embodiments, the bidirectional power converter 225 may include components that are able to separately deliver power to or receive power from a conducting element 235 that is separately connected to a phase that is interconnected to the electric grid 102. In such embodiments, the energy source 224 may include a plurality of separate battery arrays (not shown) that are each coupled to a separate power controlling circuit in the bidirectional power converter 225 to control the efficient transfer of power at a desirable rate between the conducting element 235 and energy source 224. Such battery arrays may include two or more batteries 227 each.

FIG. 2C schematically illustrates a single electric load location 104 that is interconnected to the electric grid 102 through two electric meters 201, according to one embodiment of the invention. Each of the electric meters 201 are configured to separately or cooperatively provide power billing information to the utility, due to the electric power drawn by the loads 241A-241F. As illustrated in FIG. 2C, a single distributed energy storage system 103 can be configured to control the fluctuation in power at the electric load location 104 and/or power level being drawn by a plurality of electric loads (e.g., electric loads 241A-241F) at the electric load location 104. In this configuration, the distributed energy storage systems 103 may include two or more power monitors 230, one or more power controllers 222 and a system controller 210. The bidirectional power converter 225 may also include components that are able to separately control the transfer of power between a conducting element 235, electric grid 102, and the energy source 224.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process flow diagram for controlling the fluctuation of power at an electric load location 104 and/or power level being drawn by one or more electric load(s) at the electric load location 104 by use of a distributed energy storage system 103, according to one embodiment of the invention. In general, the software and hardware components in the system controller 210 (shown in FIGS. 2A-2C) are configured to provide control-based commands to control the one or more power controllers 222 based on the measured power data collected by power monitors 230. The overall control system of the distributed energy storage system 103 is made up of several software and hardware components that may be distributed across the local site (e.g., electric load location 104) and/or the Internet cloud. FIGS. 2A-2C discussed above illustrate some examples of different configurations of these components. The electric load location 104 contains hardware responsible for implementing the control system, including charging the batteries 227 from and discharging the batteries into the electric grid 102. Monitoring capability may be included in the bi-directional converter in the source power controller 223 that passes the measured charge and discharge information back to the system controller 210 in the local distributed energy storage system 103. Additionally, there may be a separate sensor (e.g., a monitoring device, also referred to herein as the power monitor 230) that monitors the overall building load (that is, the net of any charging or discharging) and also passes this information back to the system controller 210 in the distributed energy storage system 103.

The system controller 210 of the distributed energy storage system 103 may include up to six primarily software-based controllers that are stored within memory and executed by one or more processors associated with the system controller 210. As noted above, these six primarily software-based controllers may include the solution manger 202, the set-point controller 204 (described below in conjunction with FIG. 4), the run time controller 206 (described below in conjunction with FIG. 5), the local power controller 207, the offset controller 208, a droop controller 330, and an optimization engine 1031 (described below in conjunction with FIGS. 7 and 9). The various controllers in the control system, as noted above, will typically include a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown), memory (not shown), and support circuits (or I/O) (not shown). Software instructions and data can be coded and stored within the memory of one or more of the controllers and is used for instructing the CPU of the one or more of the controllers to control the various components in the distributed energy storage system 103.

The solution manager 202 exists on the local premise and is primarily responsible for communicating with the optimization engine 1031 and passing command information received therefrom to the set-point controller 204 and offset controller 208. In one embodiment, the solution manager 202 receives demand threshold control instructions (e.g., demand set-point curves 301) and battery state-of-charge curves 302 from the optimization engine 1031 and then determines at what time(s) of day the set-point controller 204 changes the demand set-point. For example, if during a period of low demand charges (e.g., energy cost is low), the solution manager 202 receives new information that a high demand charge period (e.g., energy cost is high) is approaching, the solution manager 202 passes along the new control set-point to which the set-point controller 204 should attempt to hold the premise load at that time. There are several events the solution manager 202 watches for in order to make changes to the set-point, including a soft failure event, a soft failure set point increment event, a manual set-point change event, a new solution received set-point update event, a set-point controller startup event, and a PID coefficient change event.

A soft failure event indicates that operating conditions of the distributed energy storage system 103 have gone outside the forecasted operating solution, or the demand has exceeded its predicted operating value(s) due to an unexpected variation in demand. This type of event is typically informational and allows the optimization engine 1031 to decide if intervention is required. A soft failure set point increment event, which can be either incremental or proportional, indicates whether a set point change is needed as a result of a soft failure event. Set point modifications are either incremental or proportional to the set point and utility and site loads. If the solution manager 202 decides that the correction to the soft failure should be incremental, then the set point will be adjusted upward based on the incremental value found in the forecasted battery curve layer for the current state-of-charge (SOC). If the solution manager 202 decides that the correction to the soft failure should be proportional, then the set point will be adjusted up or down based on the proportional difference between the utility and resulting load. Much like the incremental value, the proportional value used to correct for the soft failure event is found in the battery curve layer of the controlling software found in the solution manager 202 and is based on the current state-of-charge of the energy source 224. A manual set-point change event is recorded when a user manually changes the set point on the distributed energy storage system 103. A new solution received set-point update event indicates the set point is updated based on a newly received solution from the optimization engine 1031. This will generally occur when the distributed energy storage system 103 transitions from one billing cycle to another or when intervention by the user causes a regeneration of a new solution. A set-point controller startup event indicates that the set-point controller 204 was restarted, generally due to manual intervention of a user or when the distributed energy storage system 103 is restarted. A PID coefficient change event indicates that the PID coefficients, used in the run time controller 206, have been updated, for example to accommodate dynamic battery state-of-health (SOH) strategies.

The set-point controller 204 is used to manage the control set-point for each instant in time using information specified and received from the solution manager 202. As noted above, the control set-points are selected by the solution manager 202 to ensure that the system maintains enough energy reserve in the energy source 224 to manage the load at the electric load location 104 over a particular time period, such as a day or part of a day. FIG. 4 illustrates operation of set-point controller 204, according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the set-point controller 204 receives the optimized runtime parameters 401 from the solution manager 202 and demand set-point curves 301 and battery state-of-charge profiles 302 from optimization engine 1031. Simultaneously, set-point controller 204 monitors the actual operating characteristics of energy storage system 103, including for example information 402 from power monitor 230 and battery telemetry 403 (e.g., battery SOC as a function of time) from power controller 222, and sends updated runtime parameters 410 (e.g., set-points, PID parameters) to the runtime controller 206. In some embodiments, set-point controller 204 also monitors transport delay information and other inverter telemetry 404 (e.g., power delivery information) from bidirectional power converters 225 or any other inverter/chargers associated with energy storage system 103.

The updated control parameters 410 are based on the received optimized operating parameters and/or the current operating state of the measured power being drawn by the attached electric loads at the energy storage system 103. The set-point controller 204 does this by receiving current real-time demand information from the observed site load monitor (e.g., power monitors 230), receiving real time battery state-of-charge information directly from hardware monitoring components (e.g., charge/discharge monitor 323), which may be found in the source power controller 223 in the power controllers 222, receiving battery telemetry 403 (e.g., real time charge and discharge information from the charge/discharge monitor 323), and then issuing commands (updated runtime parameters 410) to the run-time controller 206. The run-time controller 206 controls the charge or discharge of energy to or from the energy source 224 and to or from the electric grid 102, via the bi-directional power converter 225.

If the actual operating characteristics of the distributed energy storage system 103 fall outside of the expected operating parameters, the set-point controller 204 will adjust the updated runtime parameters 410 to correct for any variance from the actual or expected performance of the overall system. In some embodiments, set-point controller 204 is also configured to pass any variance information 411 back to the optimization engine 1031 so that the optimization engine 1031 can continue to run the most accurate simulations and issue newly optimized operating parameters.

The runtime controller 206 uses the updated runtime parameters 410 received from the set-point controller 204 to implement an optimized charging or discharging solution for the energy storage system 103. FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the runtime controller 206 according to one or more embodiments of the invention. As shown, the runtime controller 206 generally receives the updated runtime parameters 410 from the set-point controller 204 and uses a feedback controller (e.g., local power controller 207), such as a PID controller, to implement the optimized charging or discharging solution determined by the set-point controller 204 utilizing the power electronics hardware in the bidirectional power converter 225. The runtime controller 206 acts on the current demand set-point data, which may be included in updated runtime parameters 410, and sends the actual charge and discharge instructions 501 to the bidirectional power converter 225 using standard control mechanisms, such as proportional integral and derivative (PID) types of control loops. The data received by runtime controller 206 may include the current demand set-point curves 301 generated by the optimization engine 1031 and/or solution manager 202. The runtime controller 206 then compares the received inputs and supplies a control signal (charge and discharge instructions 501) to the bidirectional power converter 225, so that a desired amount of energy is received or discharged at that instant in time.

Based on charge and discharge instructions 501, fluctuations in the power used by the electric load location 104 can be controlled or damped by the charging and discharging of the energy source 224, such as a battery array in the energy source 224, that is coupled to the power-receiving portion of the electric load location 104. The energy source 224 may be configured to deliver and/or receive an amount of energy at any instant in time to and/or from the A/C power system of the electric load location 104. The energy source 224 may include a plurality of batteries (e.g., lithium ion batteries, lead acid batteries, etc.) that are electrically interconnected to a portion of the NC power system of the electric load location 104. The plurality of batteries may be connected in a series and/or a parallel configuration to the A/C power system. The charging and discharging of the energy source 224 can be controlled by use of the power electronics hardware in the bidirectional power converter 225, which may include A/C switches, diodes, capacitors and/or inductors. In some embodiments, the runtime controller 206 is configured to constantly send the actual charge and discharge instructions 501 to the power controllers 222 while monitoring charging and discharging behavior of the energy source(s) 224 in a closed control loop using a charge/discharge monitor, such as the charge/discharge monitor 323 in FIG. 3.

The energy source 323 includes one or more sensors that are adapted to monitor the state-of-charge of one or more energy source components, such as batteries, found within each energy source 224. In one example, the energy source 323 is able monitor the state-of-charge of each battery array and/or each battery within a battery array to determine its relative health and state-of-charge (e.g., amount of energy stored in the batteries). In some embodiments, the charge/discharge monitor 323 is configured to deliver charging and discharging behavior information (e.g., battery telemetry data) to the runtime controller 206 and set-point controller 204, so that the current demand set-point data used by the runtime controller 206 can be updated and the set-point at each instant in time is the better managed using commands sent from the set-point controller 204.

The local power controller 207 is used to execute the commands that are received from the runtime controller 206, and thus execute the actual charge and discharge processes controlled by the components in the bidirectional power converter 225. The local power controller 207 may include various standard control mechanisms, such as PID control loops, and may be run using a processor found within the system controller 210 (FIG. 2A) or power controllers 222 (FIG. 3).

The optional offset controller 208 is used to execute grid services commands that are received by the electric load location 104, and is used as a higher-level system override of the control provided by the system controller 210. The offset controller 208 may be configured to modify the charge or discharge command to the bidirectional power converter 225 and the telemetry information, such as current load, from the resultant load monitor (e.g., sensor power monitors 230). The offset controller 208 thus adjusts the power absorbed or delivered to the electrical grid 102 by the energy source 224 based on instructions received by the system controller 210 to help resolve electrical issues that may be occurring on the grid 102 at that time (e.g., voltage support, frequency regulation, damp oscillations in power flowing through the grid, etc.). For example, if the solution manager 202 calls for a grid services event that calls for an additional 2 kW of power, the offset controller 208 would modify the discharge command from the runtime controller 206 to increase by 2 kW of power, but would also add that 2 kW of power back to the telemetry of the power monitors 230 so that the set-point controller 204 and the optimization engine 1031 would not see a deviation from the predicted load and thereby not disturbing the optimized instruction set that is currently being executed.

The droop controller 330 takes frequency measurements from a sensor 310 and a device 331 that are coupled to the electric grid 102 via a wired or wireless communication link 311. This frequency is compared to the nominal grid frequency for the operating region, for example in the United States it would be compared to 60.000 Hz. When commanded to be in frequency regulation mode from the distributed system gateway 325 (FIG. 3), if the frequency of the grid is below the nominal frequency the droop controller 330 will adjust the offset controller 208 (as shown in FIG. 3) to so that commands to the energy source 224 are altered to increase the discharge rate within predetermined deadbands and timedelays. Alternatively, when the grid frequency is measured to be greater than 60.000 Hz the commands to the energy source 224 can be altered to store energy at a greater rate than required for local demand reduction. The response characteristics, such as the speed and magnitude of the response, are parameters that are controlled by the distributed system gateway 325. The distributed system gateway 325 can be a cloud-based interface and controller that allows for specific grid services commands to be sent to the distributed energy storage system 103 outside of the control of optimization engine 1031. Thus, the droop controller 330, much like the optional offset controller 208, can be used as a higher-level system override of the control provided by the system controller 210.

In operation, the control method used to maintain the required demand set-point(s) can employ a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller that heavily relies on the information received from an optimization engine 1031. In some embodiments, the control method uses a standard PID control loop, where the process value is the observed electric load at the local premise, the set-point is the demand in kilowatts that the storage system attempts to prevent the local load from exceeding, and the manipulated value is the amount of energy discharged by the bidirectional power converters 225. In simple terms, if the local load is sensed or observed to exceed the demand set-point, then the bidirectional power converter 225 receives a command to discharge until the observed electric load begins to drop below the demand set-point. This control loop may occur at a frequency from 100 milliseconds or less to multiple seconds depending on load and volatility, and on the granularity of the control output of the bidirectional power converter 225. For example, said frequency may vary as a function of the ability of the bidirectional power converter 225 to control output, e.g., within 10's of watts, hundreds of watts, etc. Given this control output granularity and speed, the control system 210 can react within a suitable response time to sensed changes in the electric load sensed by power monitor 230.

In some configurations, the distributed energy storage system 103 is computing resource constrained. Therefore, the generation of the control optimization instructions occurs at an external location (e.g., operations center 109) and then a distilled set of instructions is passed down to one or more of energy storage systems 103 from the external location. The predictive nature and/or processes found in the control optimization instructions is particularly beneficial, since these control optimization instructions enable a minimized or otherwise reduced amount of energy storage to be used at the premise. Since the energy storage devices, such as the energy source 224, can be expensive and have a finite lifetime that is affected by amount of use, the system controller 210 can be used to further improve the lifetime of the energy source 224 and thus reduce the operating costs of distributed energy storage system 103. For example, if the optimization engine 1031 forecasts that the maximum peak load for the day will occur at 4 PM, the instruction set includes this forecast, so that the distributed energy storage system 103 does not overreact to spikes in demand prior to 4 PM, and therefore enough energy capacity will remain in the energy source 224 for the major 4 PM event. If an unpredicted event occurs prior to 4 PM, the distributed energy storage system 103 will still react correctly and hold the set-point. This unexpected event information is sent back to the optimization engine 1031, where an updated set of instructions is created for the storage system, which may include a higher set-point later in the day so the energy source 224's state-of-charge is not depleted.

According to embodiments of the invention, distributed energy storage system 103 maximizes economic return by optimally managing energy use at the electric load location 104. Rather than simply reacting to gross changes in electricity demand, distributed energy storage system 103 is configured to use a partially predicted command set that may be statistically derived from a large quantity of various data inputs. In practice, some embodiments of distributed energy storage system 103 may lack the processing power, data storage capacity, and/or interfaces to remote data stores that facilitate calculating such a partially predicted command set locally in a timely manner. Consequently, in such embodiments, the partially predicted command set may be calculated at a remote location and the information distilled to a lightweight, i.e., easily transmitted, set of instructions that the distributed storage system 103 can utilize in real-time. For example, in some embodiments, optimization engine 1031 is configured to calculate the command set at such a remote location (e.g., operations center 109 in FIGS. 2A-2C) and then deliver the command set to the energy storage system 103.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the created command set may include a predictive element, as opposed to simply a fixed set point, so that the distributed energy storage system 103 can operate autonomously for some time (e.g., hours or days) in the event that the distributed energy storage system 103 is disconnected from the central controller and is unable to communicate with a central command center (e.g., operations center 109). For example, disconnection can occur if the local communications network is disconnected for maintenance or if damage occurs to the communication wiring. In such a situation, the predictive element of the command set facilitates resilient operation of distributed energy storage system 103 with respect to various future conditions, such as demand spikes or changes in rate schedule. Thus, in some embodiments, distributed energy storage system 103 is configured to operate using a robust, but small (in terms of data size) command set that is received from a central command center (e.g., from optimization engine 1031 at operations center 109) and that allows autonomous operation (via a predictive element) until communications are reconnected with the central command center. In other words, embodiments of the invention can be used to create a concise set of operating parameters in an external data center that the distributed energy storage system 103 can understand and implement while the distributed energy storage system 103 is either connected or disconnected from the communications network, which couples the external data center and the distributed energy storage system 103. These operating parameters include a statistically generated and tiered expected state-of-charge of the battery or batteries in the distributed energy storage system 103 (e.g., the battery state-of-charge profiles 302 in FIGS. 4 and 5) as well as a set of set points at which to maintain the electric power demand at the load site to enable the forecasted economic return (e.g., the time-based demand set-point curves 301 in FIGS. 4 and 5). Examples of the battery state-of-charge profiles 302 and their uses are further discussed below in conjunction with FIGS. 10-14 and 15A-15C.

Thus, in some embodiments, a process is provided in which operating parameters are computed through simulations and other statistical techniques in a remote data center. These data are then distilled down into a lightweight set of storage system operating parameters (e.g., in the several kilobytes size range), which are acted upon by the controlling elements in the energy storage system 103, and then any changes in operating characteristics are communicated back to the central data center (e.g., operations center 109) for continual operating parameter optimization.

The optimization engine 1031 may exist in the cloud 104A, as shown in FIG. 3, or alternatively at an electric load location 104, and builds the optimal operating instructions for one or more of the distributed energy storage systems 103 by running simulations using multiple categories of data, which may include: electric rate plan and tariff information (e.g., utility rates, billing period, temporal energy and demand prices, and averaging periods), utility data (e.g., requests for grid services like voltage support, frequency regulation, damp oscillations in power flow in grid), current and future weather data, (e.g., time of day, sunrise and sunset times, temperature, cloud cover, and other weather forecasts), geographic location, local solar production, local incident light, customer type, building specifications (e.g., information relating to the electric load location, such as building material, square footage, age, HVAC type and type of equipment used at the electric load location, etc.), grid operator data (e.g., locational marginal price, area control error, automatic generation control, etc.), and time (e.g., time of day) data, high-resolution energy usage data (e.g., collected high sample rate energy usage data (e.g., <1 minute)) provided by the target energy storage system, and/or load prediction taken from historical patterns for the specific site and similar sites, which may be received from one or more external data sources. Optimization engine 1031, which may be configured as a software-based analytics engine, then uses this data to simulate and create various operating parameter results by iteratively processing this data to find an optimal solution. The operating parameter results so determined may include optimized runtime parameters 401, demand set-point curves 301, and battery state-of-charge profiles 302 of FIGS. 4 and 5. For example, in some embodiments, optimization engine 1031 uses an energy storage hardware simulator farm as illustrated in FIG. 6 to help determine and create various operating parameters.

FIG. 6 illustrates an overview of a communication process between an optimization engine 1031, a simulator farm 601, and a distributed energy storage system 103, according to an embodiment of the invention. The simulation farm 601 may be located in a data center external to the distributed energy storage systems 103 and, as shown, may be configured with a plurality of system simulators 602 to run multiple simulations using the various categories of data listed above as input variables. Each simulation can then produce operating parameters and storage system results (e.g., optimized runtime parameters 401, demand set-point curves 301 and battery state-of-charge profiles 302) for a particular distributed energy storage system 103, including energy use predictions that are used by the semi-autonomous control system of each distributed energy storage system 103. Simulator farm 601 may be hosted in the same cloud-based system or computer as the optimization engine 1031, or may be associated with a dedicated cloud or computer or other computing device.

After completing a simulation to compute the optimal power control strategy for a distributed energy storage system 103, the optimization engine 1031 then packages and passes down an array of time-based demand set-point curves 301, battery state-of-charge profiles 302, and optimized runtime parameters 401 to the set-point controller 204 of the distributed energy storage system 103, which then acts upon them. Demand set-point curves 301 provide a series of time-based power level demand set-points, so the distributed energy storage system 103 knows what kilowatt set-point to hold the local load(s) (e.g., electric load(s) 241A-241C in FIGS. 2A-2C) to during different times of day. The battery state-of-charge profile 302 provides a set of zones that the set-point controller 204 will act on if the current state-of-charge moves out of the safe zone at different times over a desired time period (e.g., a day). The system controller 210 uses this information so that the power control strategy can be adjusted if the battery state-of-charge moves outside a predetermined safe state-of-charge level, due to unpredicted changes in the load at the electric load location 104.

The strategy computed by the optimization engine 1031 may also include grid services instructions that control the offset controller 208 via the solution manager 202. Grid services may include frequency regulation, voltage support, oscillation damping support, and demand response commands, which typically do not disrupt the control loop that is optimizing the power provided to local premise load(s), and are used to allow the distributed energy storage system 103 to help support and resolve issues that arise on the greater electrical grid, which is outside of the commercial electric load location 104.

As described above in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-2C, the set-point controller 204 unpackages the operating parameters and uses this data to determine a runtime plan, e.g., updated runtime parameters 410, as a guideline for operation of distributed energy storage system 103. In some embodiments, set-point controller 204 may also be configured to report back to the optimization engine 1031 any variances in expected behavior using runtime variance 610 data, based on the actual behavior of distributed energy storage system 103, e.g., system telemetry 620. The optimization engine 1031 can then use runtime variance 610 to run another set of simulations using one or more system simulators 602 in order to compute a new optimal solution that accounts for these variations at each energy storage system 103.

FIG. 7 illustrates an overview of a system simulator process, according to an embodiment of the invention. An individual system simulator 602 may be configured to behave exactly like a particular distributed energy storage system 103, but is entirely software-based. A system simulator 602 takes in the operating parameters produced by the optimization engine 1031 as well as the utility's electric usage billing period and passes this information into a feedback controller that simulates the control loop of a particular distributed energy storage system 103. In one embodiment, the system simulator 602 generates data in sub-second or greater increments. However, the utility that delivers the electrical power typically measures for demand peaks in longer multi-minute time blocks. Therefore, in some embodiments, the simulation time period optimizations are matched to the site's utility billing time periods. If the operating parameters are optimized for a time significantly shorter than the utility billing time period associated with a particular distributed energy storage system 103 being simulated, more computational resources than necessary may be used to reach a desired solution. Alternatively, if the operating parameters are optimized for a time significantly longer than the utility billing time period associated with a particular distributed energy storage system 103 being simulated, a demand spike may be missed.

As noted above, optimization engine 1031 can be used to create a concise set of operating parameters (including time-based demand set-point curves 301, battery state-of-charge profiles 302, and optimized runtime parameters 401) that the distributed energy storage system 103 can understand and implement. Furthermore, these operating parameters can be used by the distributed energy storage system 103 even if subsequently disconnected from the communications network coupling the optimization engine 1031 and the distributed energy storage system 103. The system controller 210 of the distributed energy storage system 103 uses the time-based demand set-point curves 301 and battery state-of-charge profiles 302, collectively known as feedback based curves, to control the storage and release of energy by the distributed energy storage system 103. These battery state-of-charge profiles, or battery curves, can be used for a single battery, a group of connected batteries in a single storage device, or a group of batteries contained in several networked energy devices, such as in the energy source 224. A battery state-of-charge profile 302 represents a targeted state-of-charge of the battery or battery array as a function of time and will vary in the amount of power correction from 0% to 100%. A time-based demand set-point curve 301 represents one or more peak demands that the site should not exceed over the course of a specified time period, e.g., one day. There may be multiple such demand peaks during a particular day, and each may be defined by power as a function of time of day. The battery state-of-charge profile, or battery curve, can be used by the system controller to determine an amount of energy to transfer to the electric power line (e.g., conducting element 235) based on a measured amount of charge in the energy source 224.

The time-based demand set-point curves 301 and battery state-of-charge profiles 302 can be transmitted either as a matrix or table of time-indexed values, or as a time-varying equation. The points defining time-based demand set-point curves 301 and battery state-of-charge profiles 302 are synchronized in time and are time-delineated in relatively short time increments (such as one minute intervals). The matrix or equation that allows the system controller 210 to build the battery state-of-charge profiles 302 may be in a format of battery state-of-charge percentage with respect to time. Such a matrix or equation allows the system controller 210 to build the demand set-point curve, which comprises electric power (in kilowatts, for example) with respect to time.

During operation, the system controller 210 attempts to maintain the given set-points as time progresses by monitoring power delivered to and from the electric load location 104 through a power delivery line (e.g., one or more conducting elements 235) coupled to electric meter 201, and storing and releasing energy to the delivery line from a storage device, such as the energy source 224. The battery state-of-charge profiles 302 received by the system controller 210 provides a guide for what state-of-charge is expected to be for the distributed energy storage system 103 in order to maintain the demand set-points. If the actual state-of-charge deviates significantly from the expected state-of-charge, the system controller 210 will adjust the demand set-point and report the variance back to the optimization engine 1031.

According to some embodiments, a set of operating parameters provided to distributed energy storage system 103 by optimization engine 1031 may include more than a single demand set-point curve 301 and a single battery state-of-charge profile 302 (or battery curves). In some embodiments, these operating parameters may includes a matrix of synchronized battery and demand set-point data, including “default,” “optimized,” and “current” curve sets. The simplified default curve set is calculated at system installation and initial setup of system controller 210. This set includes a simple demand set-point curve 301 and a simple battery state-of-charge profile 302 that can be used by the system controller 210. The optimized battery curve set is calculated by the optimization engine 1031 at the beginning of the billing period (e.g., once per month) or when changes occur in energy and power utility rates. Furthermore, each curve in the optimized curve set may include multiple continuous or discrete value set-point curves for a 24-hour period as well as a higher resolution state-of-charge curves that can be used by the system controller 210 to control the distributed energy system 103. The current curve set uses operational feedback from the energy source 224 as well as real-time external data (such as local weather conditions) to continually optimize and refine the operation of the distributed energy storage system 103. The current curve set can be generated by components in the operation center 109, and/or, in some cases, locally by the system controller 210.

If communication is lost to optimization engine 1031, the distributed energy storage system 103 uses the optimized curve set for as long as feasible, and, if an unpredicted event occurs, can revert back to a set of default parameters set by the default curve. If demand at the distributed energy storage system 103 begins to push the state-of-charge beyond the capability of energy source 224 to maintain the current set-point, the distributed energy storage system 103 adjusts the set-point until the desired state-of-charge can be maintained based on pre-computed back-off values. In some embodiments, distributed energy storage system 103 is configured to use the optimized curve set when a short-term communication loss occurs (e.g., hours or days) and the default curve set when a long-term communication loss occurs (e.g., several weeks).

Having several sets of curves provides the distributed energy storage system 103 with maximum flexibility in the case of abnormal demand conditions and/or loss of communication with the optimization engine 1031. If the distributed energy storage system 103 loses communication and has only one un-optimized demand set-point curve 301 and one un-optimized battery state-of-charge profile 302 available, the distributed energy storage system 103 can potentially run out of stored energy and fail to meet the scheduled requirements. This is because un-optimized operational data does not benefit from the ability of the optimization engine 1031 to “learn” and forecast how a particular electric load location 104 uses energy. However, in embodiments in which multiple demand set-point curves 301 (e.g., battery curves) and/or battery state-of-charge profile 302 are available to the distributed energy storage system 103, the current data set is the best optimized data set and is typically used instead of the default or optimized data sets. Moreover, having multiple demand set-point curves 301 and/or battery state-of-charge profiles 302 available in this way advantageously includes inherent error checking. Specifically, if load conditions fall out of range of the latest set of data, the distributed energy storage system 103 may request a new set of battery curves and demand set-point data from the central data center.

FIG. 8A illustrates a graph 800 that shows the performance over a business day of a conventional (prior art) energy storage system using a single-demand set-point. Graph 800 includes a battery charge level curve, which illustrates the amount of charge contained in the batteries, a site load curve, a net load curve, and a single demand set-point having a fixed value of 40 kW. The battery charge level curve indicates percentage charge remaining in the battery array over time of an energy storage system located at an electrical load location, such as a commercial building. The site load curve indicates a varying electrical load over time of the electrical load location, and the net load curve indicates a varying net electrical load over time of the electrical load location, i.e., the quantity of electrical energy actually delivered to the electrical load location from an electrical grid. Thus, at any point in time in graph 800, the value indicated by the net load curve is equal to the corresponding site load value minus any energy provided to the electrical load location by the conventional energy storage system.

At the beginning of a business day, for example at 7 a.m., the battery array of the energy storage system is fully charged (100%) and, over time the charge drops as energy is provided to the electrical load location by the battery array. Because the single demand set-point is fixed at 40 kW, the energy storage system provides electrical energy to the electrical load location at whatever rate that prevents the net load of the electrical load location from exceeding 40 kW. In this way, additional tariffs associated with receiving energy at a rate of greater than 40 kW are avoided. However, because the battery array of the energy storage system has very limited capacity, the battery array is quickly discharged to essentially 0% charge only a few hours after the site load exceeds the single demand set-point. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8A, the battery array is fully discharged by 10 a.m., which is less than 2.5 hours after the site load initially exceeds the single demand set-point of 40 kW. Consequently, any demand spikes that occur after that time (10 am) cannot be reduced by the conventional energy storage system. Because several such spikes may occur later in the business day in a commercial building, as shown in FIG. 8A, this is highly undesirable, since tariffs associated with receiving energy at a rate greater than 80 kW and 100 kW are applied to the electrical load location on the business day represented by FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8B illustrates a graph 850 that shows the performance over a business day of an energy storage system configured according to one or more embodiments of the invention. Graph 850 includes a battery charge level curve, a site load curve, a net load curve, and a demand set-point curve having various values at different times of the business day. The battery charge level curve, the site load curve, and the net load curve have the same definitions provided with respect to graph 800 in FIG. 8A. In contrast to graph 800, graph 850 includes a demand set-point curve that is adapted to vary with time over the course of a single day, as shown in FIG. 8B. This demand set-point curve (analogous to the above-described demand set-point curves 301) may be provided by a software-based analytics engines, such as the optimization engine 1031, and therefore can be tailored specifically to the charging and discharging behavior of the electrical load location 104. The demand set-point curve illustrated in graph 850 is a stepped set-point curve that includes multiple discrete values. In one configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the stepped set-point curve includes multiple periods of time, of variable length, in which the set-point is maintained at a constant level.

FIG. 8C illustrates a graph 860 that shows the performance over a business day of an energy storage system configured according to one or more embodiments of the invention. Graph 860 includes a battery charge level curve, a site load curve, a net load curve, and a continuously varying demand set-point curve that varies continuously with time over the course of a particular time period, such as a business day. The battery charge level curve, the site load curve, and the net load curve have the same definitions provided with respect to graph 800 in FIG. 8A. This continuously varying demand set-point curve may be provided by a software-based analytics engines, such as the optimization engine 1031, and therefore can be tailored specifically to the charging and discharging behavior of the electrical load location 104.

According to some embodiments, an energy storage system associated with graph 850 and/or graph 860 is configured to maintain a current demand set-point indicated by the demand set-point curve by monitoring the load of the electric load location and releasing a suitable quantity of energy to the electric load location at different times of the day. The demand set-point curve, which provides a demand set-point for each particular time of day, varies with time and is selected by the set-point controller 204 and delivered to and used by the system controller 210. Consequently, the control parameters created by the optimization engine 1031 are used to create the demand set-point curve that takes into account demand spikes that can occur later in the business day. For example, the demand set-points for times earlier in a business day may be selected or adjusted to conserve energy in the energy storage system 224 to allow demand spikes that occur later in the business day to be negated. Thus, the energy storage system discharges to keep demand at the electrical load location 104 from exceeding these various adjusted set-points. In this way, charges associated with demand spikes can be avoided, even when such demand spikes occur later in a business day.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the rate at which energy is delivered to the electric load location by the energy storage system 103 is also managed according to a target battery state-of-charge curve received by the solution manager 202, such as the above-described battery state-of-charge curve 302. A target battery state-of-charge curve indicates what state-of-charge at any time of the business day is predicted to allow the demand set-points of the demand set-point curve to be maintained. In such embodiments, when an actual or measured charge of the energy storage system falls below a specified value in the target battery state-of-charge curve, a new demand set-point curve and/or target battery state-of-charge curve may be requested from the optimization engine 1031. Various embodiments of target battery state-of-charge curves are described herein in conjunction with FIGS. 15A-15C.

Thus, in contrast to conventional energy storage systems that use a fixed demand set-point, embodiments of the invention facilitate maximizing the finite energy storage capacity of an energy storage system and reducing the unnecessary usage of such systems during less beneficial times of the day. For example, by use of the optimized solutions provided by the optimization engine, such as including a relatively high target battery state-of-charge earlier in the day, energy in an energy storage system is reserved for preventing more costly demand peaks that occur later in the day. One will note, by use of the control techniques described herein, and as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the state-of-charge of the energy source 224 can be controlled such that the battery charge level curve does not reach a 0% state-of-charge even when demand management becomes increasingly challenged due to increasing load.

As noted above, operating parameters such as optimized runtime parameters 401, demand set-point curves 301, and battery state-of-charge profiles 302, are computed through simulations and other statistical techniques. FIG. 9 illustrates a control system 900 that includes an optimization engine 1031 and is configured to generate operating parameters for an energy storage system controller 210, according to one embodiment of the invention.

As shown, control system 900 is coupled to a system controller 210 and includes an optimization engine 1031, a coefficient engine 1032, data cleansing engines 1033 and 1037, a forecast engine 1034, a simulation engine 1035, a solution engine 1036, a utility tariff engine 1039, a universal tariff data store 1041, an external data store 1042, a site telemetry data store 1043 and a risk management engine 1049.

Optimization engine 1031 may be configured as a cloud-based or local computing environment designed to compute forecasted solutions for all distributed energy storage systems 103 associated with control system 900. Generally, a solution may include a series of set point arrays (e.g., demand set-point curves 301) as well as forecasted battery curves (e.g., battery state-of-charge curves 302) to enable each distributed energy storage system 103 to optimize battery usage based on real-time site load at each electric load location 104 served. These set point arrays may contain multiple sets of time-based set-points, to accommodate daily changes in the utility tariff periods that may occur. For example, one set of set-points may be selected to maximize demand charge savings for a weekday, while another set of set-points may be selected to maximize demand charge savings for a weekend or holiday. The values of the set-points may vary from one type of load location 104 to another (e.g., hotels, car wash, house, apartments) and thus may be configured and controlled by the optimization engine 1031. Each battery curve is a set of time-based battery state-of-charge zones. If the local storage medium state-of-charge is monitored to drop into or below a certain zone in the battery curve, then the set-point is adjusted in desired increments to limit the discharging (or increase the charging) of the storage medium. Examples of the controlling components in the optimization engine that are used to compute forecasted solutions are discussed below.

The forecast engine 1034 is responsible for generating forward-looking forecasted load profiles (e.g., power usage as a function of time) for a given site. To generate the forecast for each of the distributed energy storage systems 103 associated with the control system 900, the forecast engine 1034 gathers all historical information as well as the latest weather and site-specific attributes. The forecast engine 1034 may be configured to generate forecast for a distributed energy storage system 103 periodically and/or whenever the distributed energy storage system 103 requests a forecast for a specific time, such as a remaining portion of a business day in which the current charge in the distributed energy storage system 103 outside a desired range.

The simulation engine 1035 can be configured as a model of each particular distributed energy storage system 103. Given an operating configuration of a distributed energy storage system 103, load data, and specifics of the utility tariff for the electric load location 104 served by the distributed energy storage system 103, the simulation engine 1035 can optimize battery usage based on the economics of the tariff. The output of the simulation engine 1035 may be an optimized set point array and corresponding battery curve(s). In some embodiments, the simulation engine 1035 accommodates varying utility measured power intervals (UMPI). Thus, in such embodiments, the simulation engine 1035 can be configured to change a moving average based on the UMPI when generating a simulation and evaluating maximum demand.

The utility tariff engine 1039 may be configured as a cloud-based or local computing environment, and is responsible for managing the specifics of utility tariffs used by the optimization engine 1031 to generate a set point array. Each utility tariff applicable to a specific distributed energy storage system 103 may be stored in the utility tariff engine 1039. The utility tariff engine 1039 then uses this information to determine the periods of the day that require optimized battery usage. The utility tariff engine 1039 understands and uses the weekday, weekend, and holidays, as well as the changes in rates within each tariff time period (e.g., minute, hour, day or week), to help form an optimized control solution for one or more of the distributed energy storage systems. The utility tariff engine 1039 may also monitor utility-specific events, such as peak day pricing or changing tariff rates.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a general process sequence 1000 used by the control system 900 to create and deliver forecast and control information to one or more distributed energy storage systems 103, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The information created in the processing sequence 1000 may include optimized runtime parameters 401, demand set-point curves 301, and battery state-of-charge profiles 302. This information may be used by the system controller 210 disposed in the one or more distributed energy storage systems 103 to both reduce total energy cost to the customer and to help the make the wider electric grid cleaner and more efficient by reducing overall peak power demand. Additional steps may be added in between the steps depicted in FIG. 10, as needed, to optimally control the one or more distributed energy storage systems 103 associated with control system 900. Similarly, one or more steps described herein may also be eliminated as needed without exceeding the scope of the invention. Portions of the process sequence 1000 are also described in greater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 11-16.

The process sequence 1000 begins at step 1002, where the coefficient engine 1032 of the control system 900 is used to determine and analyze coefficients for use in the control system 900. The coefficients determined in step 1002 are used within the forecast engine 1034 and other parts of the control system 900 to form an optimized control solution for each distributed energy storage system 103 associated with the control system 900. Thus, each of the one or more distributed energy storage systems 103 associated with the control system 900 uses a different optimized control solution to control the demand at each corresponding electric load location 104. The coefficients generally include weightings applied to current and historical data used by the controlling software in the forecast engine 1034 to generate a forecast for a time period (e.g., a day, week, month or year) as to how various internal and external site-specific attributes will affect the power demand for each of the distributed energy storage systems 103 associated with the control system 900. Generally, these coefficients correspond to historical weather data, forecasted weather data, additional weather data such as cloud cover and sunrise/sunset times, and historical demand data collected for the site. These coefficients may also correspond to information associated with a business or businesses located at the electric load location 104, such as operating hours, business hours, scheduled maintenance, special events at the location, special events taking place nearby that may affect location (e.g., a parade), and other useful data that will help forecast the demand at a particular electrical load location 104.

In step 1004, the coefficient engine 1032 gathers a list of prior coefficients used by a distributed energy storage system 103 from an operation database (e.g., memory location) associated with the control system 900, gathers historical premises load information from a load telemetry database associated with the control system 900, gathers other external historical data from the external data store 1042, and constructs a list of coefficients that will be useful to help control each of the distributed energy storage systems 103. During the construction process, the coefficient engine 1032 compares the received data and combines like data to form an optimum data stream for the generation of the coefficient that can be used in the forecast engine 1034 for each distributed energy storage system 103. In one example, historical and forecasted weather data are compared and combined so that the predicted weather conditions can be factored into how the one or more distributed energy storage systems 103 associated with the control system 900 may react to changes in load at any instant in time at each respective electrical load location 104.

In step 1006, the coefficient engine 1032 validates the coefficients created in step 1004 to ensure that these coefficients will improve the way the distributed energy storage systems 103 reacts to simulated changes in load at any instant in time at each electrical load location 104. The validation process may include running historical forecasts using historical coefficient data sets and comparing results of the forecast to actual load characteristics received from each electrical load location 104. If the results of the forecast qualitatively shows an improvement in how the system reacts with the newly generated coefficients versus the current or previously used coefficients, the coefficient engine 1032 will transfer the validated coefficients to the forecast engine 1034.

In step 1008, the forecast engine 1034 gathers forecasting data for each distributed energy storage system 103 associated with control system 900. In some embodiments, this information is obtained from existing third party data providers, such as www.wunderground.com, www.weather.gov, and the like. In some embodiments, the forecasting data constructed in step 1008 is based on stored site characteristics for each distributed energy storage system 103. In such embodiments, the stored site characteristics may be formatted as a business hours time-based array.

In step 1010, the data-cleansing engine 1037 fills in any missing data using previously collected information, extrapolating the data or other useful techniques and adjusts any time-based intervals to match the desired interval of the forecast.

In step 1012, the utility tariff engine 1039 gathers specifics regarding each of the electric utilities' tariff, or tariffs, applicable for each electric load location 104 and constructs a data set for the solution engine 1036 to optimize operation of each distributed energy storage system 103 associated with the control system 900.

In step 1014, the forecast engine 1034 uses the latest coefficients from the coefficient engine 1032, coefficient data sets, and historical load data to generate a forecast of the load for each distributed energy storage system 103 for the appropriate period of time (e.g., month).

In step 1016, the simulation engine 1035 generates simulations of how a particular distributed energy storage system 103 operates given the forecasted load generated in step 1014. Outputs may include optimized set points (e.g., demand set-point curves 301) for each day and the state-of-charge (e.g., battery state-of-charge curves 302) of each distributed energy storage system 103 for the forecasted period.

In step 1018, the simulation engine 1035 checks the output of the current day's simulation to ensure the simulation can maintain the optimized set point strategy described by the demand set-point curves 301 generated in step 1016. If the check fails, then the optimization simulation is repeated with increased demand set-points in the period of the current day's failure and then validated against the new current simulation. This iterative process continues until both the optimized simulation and the current simulation can successfully maintain the optimized set point strategy using the same set points.

In step 1020, the simulation engine 1035 combines the simulation outputs of the default, optimized, and current results and packages them for delivery to the solution engine 1036.

In step 1022, the solution engine 1036 builds the appropriate solution battery curve based on the optimal strategy for each distributed energy storage system 103. Battery curve strategies are assigned to each distributed energy storage system 103 based on analysis of the load predicted for each distributed energy storage system 103. In some embodiments, the possible battery curve strategies that can be assigned include a flat battery curve, a stepped battery curve, a continuously varying battery curve, and a forecasted battery curve (battery state-of-charge profile 302). In such embodiments, a flat battery curve is generally used on load profiles with high demand volatility, a stepped battery curve is used when load profiles have heavy activity within predictable periods of a day or certain days of the week, and a forecasted battery curve is used when load profiles have large energy events for sustained periods of time. In some embodiments, as load changes over time at a particular electric load location 104, the corresponding distributed energy storage system 103 can be configured to adjust to the appropriate above-described battery curve strategy.

In step 1024, the solution engine 1035 combines the information output from the battery curve generation and the optimized set points from the simulation results and packages the solution (e.g., final solution for a time period) for each distributed energy storage system 103.

In step 1026, the risk management engine 1049 analyzes the output of each solution and applies a weighting to the forecasted solution to adjust how aggressive or conservative the solution should be for each particular distributed energy storage system 103. In some embodiments, the risk management engine 1049 bases such analysis on historical results of how forecasted solutions performed in the past as well as real-time economic drivers to adjust battery usage or ensure demand reduction within individual or groups of distributed energy storage systems 103 in the field.

In step 1028, the optimization engine 1031 receives the output of the risk management engine 1049 and solution engine 1035 and combines the data to construct a desired control solution for delivery to system controller 210 of each of the distributed energy storage systems 103 associated with control system 900.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a process sequence 1100 used by the coefficient engine 1032 to create updated coefficients for one or more of the distributed energy storage systems 103 associated with the control system 900, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The process sequence 1100 may be performed periodically (e.g., once per month or billing cycle), or whenever optimization engine 1031 generates battery curves and/or demand set-point curves for a distributed energy storage system 103. Additional steps may be added to or eliminated from the process sequence 1100 as needed without exceeding the scope of the invention.

The process sequence begins at step 1101, in which the coefficient engine 1032 collects current coefficient values for one or more distributed energy storage systems 103. These coefficient values may be stored locally and/or in cloud-based storage.

In step 1102, the coefficient engine 1032 collects historical load data for the one or more distributed energy storage systems 103 of interest. This historical load data may be stored in an energy storage system telemetry database associated with the control system 900, which may be a storage device local to the coefficient engine 1032 or a cloud-based storage device.

In step 1103, the coefficient engine 1032 collects external data, such as weather forecasting information, schedules of events that may occur that may impact loading on the distributed energy storage systems 103 of interest, etc. This external data may be collected via the Internet and/or by any other technically feasible technique.

In step 1104, the coefficient engine 1032 constructs a data array of historical data, external data, and current coefficient values for the one or more distributed energy storage systems 103 of interest.

In step 1105, the coefficient engine 1032 performs a coefficient optimization algorithm to determine new coefficient values for the one or more distributed energy storage system 103 of interest. In some embodiments, the coefficient engine 1032 performs a non-linear mathematical analysis of the information included in the data array constructed in step 1104 to determine the improved new coefficient values in step 1105. The optimized coefficients are thus generated by use of the historical data, external data, and current coefficient values that have been received.

In step 1106, using the new coefficient values, the coefficient engine 1032 performs one or more simulations of the one or more distributed energy storage system 103 of interest.

In step 1107, the coefficient engine 1032 validates the new coefficient values determined in step 1106 by determining if forecasted behavior of the one or more distributed energy storage system 103 of interest is more accurate using the new coefficient values. If accuracy of a forecast is shown to have increased using the new coefficient values in the simulation, e.g. actual energy consumption is better predicted, the processing sequence 1100 proceeds to step 1109. If forecast accuracy is not increased using the new coefficient values, the processing sequence 1100 proceeds to step 1108.

In step 1108, the coefficient engine 1032 flags the new coefficient values as less accurate than the current coefficients, and stores the new coefficient values for future analysis.

In step 1109, the new coefficients are provided to the one or more distributed energy storage system 103 of interest. In some embodiments, the new coefficient values are also stored in an operations database associated with the control system 900.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a process sequence 1200 used by the forecast engine 1034 to generate forward-looking forecasted load profiles for a particular electric load location 104 serviced by a distributed energy storage system 103 associated with the control system 900. Additional steps may be added to or eliminated from the process sequence 1200 as needed without exceeding the scope of the invention.

The process sequence begins at step 1201, in which the forecast engine 1034 receives a request to perform a forecast. Such a request may occur periodically for each electric load location 104 served by control system 900 or whenever a specific distributed energy storage system 103 may benefit from updated coefficients.

In step 1202, the forecast engine 1034 collects available information pertaining to the specific electric load location 104 of interest, including coefficients, historical load data, telemetry data of the distributed energy storage system 103, and the like. In some embodiments, weighting of the importance of different historical data is performed based on the duration of the forecast and/or how far into the future the requested forecast period takes place. For example, for a forecast that extends beyond seven to ten days, historical data may be weighted more heavily than weather forecast data that is further out into the future, since the accuracy of weather forecasting decreases rapidly with time.

In step 1203, data collected in step 1202 is cleansed. In other words, the collected data are modified to minimize the effect of gaps in data due to outages, etc. In some embodiments, time intervals associated with different data sets are normalized to a uniform desired time interval, using interpolation, averaging, and the like. For example, algorithms included in the forecast engine 1034 may be configured for data measured at ten-minute intervals, but a specific data source may only be available in fifteen-minute intervals. In some embodiments, after time intervals are normalized, actual gaps in data are corrected by interpolation or other techniques. In some embodiments, the procedure by which such data are corrected is a function of the duration of the data gap. For example, if the duration of a data gap is on the order of minutes or seconds, a moving average may be used to make a suitable correction. If the duration of a gap is on the order of hours or day, historical data and/or forecast data generated by the forecast engine 1034 may be used.

In step 1204, the forecast engine 1034 generates a load forecast for the one or more electric load locations 104 of interest. The load forecast generated by the forecast engine 1034 can be used by the simulation engine 1035 to generate a solution result for a particular distributed energy storage system 103.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a process sequence 1300 used by the simulation engine 1035 to determine optimal set-points and battery curves, according to an embodiment of the invention. The simulation engine 1035 determines optimal set-points and battery curves for a particular electric load location 104 serviced by a distributed energy storage system 103 associated with the control system 900. The simulation engine 1035 may be used periodically (e.g., once each month, day, billing period, etc.) to determine an optimized solution for the next such period. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the simulation engine 1034 may be used as part of an intervention, in which a distributed energy storage system 103 is unable to maintain a specified state-of-charge and requires updated battery curves and/or demand set-point curves for a remaining portion of a day, billing cycle, month, etc. Additional steps may be added to or eliminated from the process sequence 1300 as needed without exceeding the scope of the invention.

The process sequence 1300 begins at step 1301, in which the simulation engine 1035 collects a forecasted load for an electric load location 104 of interest from the forecast engine 1034 or a database associated with the control system 900 storing output from the forecast engine 1034.

In step 1302, the simulation engine 1035 collects the current operating conditions of the distributed energy storage system 103 associated with the electric load location 104 of interest. It is noted that accuracy of the solution generated by the simulation engine 1035 may depend on how recently the current operation condition data was collected in step 1302. For example, when such data is even 15 to 30 minutes old, accuracy of a solution can be adversely affected. This is because a significant portion of energy available in a distributed energy storage system 103 can be discharged in that time. Such data related to the distributed energy storage system 103 may include current energy capacity, current state-of-charge, efficiency rating, total energy capacity, charge/discharge limits, etc.

In some embodiments, the simulation engine 1035 also collects applicable tariff information in step 1302, for example from the universal tariff data store 1041 in FIG. 9. In such embodiments, additional long-term tariff site-specific inform may be collected to ensure that the distributed energy storage system 103 can operate autonomously for an indefinite period of time. Such information may include holiday information and/or major tariff seasonal changes.

In step 1303, the simulation engine 1035 generates a default solution (using a “default” battery curve and demand set-point curve) for the time period for which the simulation is requested (e.g., a day, a month, a billing period, a remaining portion of a day, etc.). This simulation illustrates how well the distributed energy storage system 103 performs by providing a “default” battery drain curve for the time period of interest.

In step 1304, the simulation engine 1035 identifies the “peak” period of the billing period or other time period of interest. This peak period, or peak day, is the day or time period during which the distributed energy storage system 103 typically has the lowest state-of-charge due to higher power usage at the electric load location at these times. Thus, the peak day is the most difficult day during a billing period for the distributed energy storage system 103 to operate within desired parameters.

In step 1305, the simulation engine 1035 performs an analysis determining an optimized demand set-point curve and battery curve for the peak period or peak day determined in step 1304. Generally, in step 1035, tariff information is used to determine an economically optimal or otherwise efficient way in which to provide energy to the electrical load location 104.

In step 1306, the simulation engine 1035 runs a simulation using a generated optimized solution for the current day, i.e., using the load telemetry of the electric load location 104 of interest for the current day and the optimized battery state-of-charge profile and demand set-point curve determined in step 1305 for the distributed energy storage system 103.

In step 1307, the simulation engine 1035 checks the validity of the optimized solution by checking whether or not the state-of-charge of the distributed energy storage system 103 is reduced below a desired minimum or other threshold value during the simulation in step 1306. If the state-of-charge remains greater than the minimum threshold value throughout the simulation, process sequence 1300 proceeds to step 1308. If the state-of-charge drops below the minimum threshold value during the simulation, the process sequence 1300 proceeds to step 1309. Thus, in step 1307, proper operation of the new solution is confirmed prior to being distributed to the distributed energy storage system 103.

In step 1308, the simulation engine 1035 outputs the solution result to the solution engine 1036 for generating a solution for the distributed energy storage system 103. The solution result may include default, optimized, and current simulation results.

In step 1309, the simulation engine 1035 increases a set-point value in the time period or periods in which the state-of-charge of the distributed energy storage system 103 falls below the desired minimum or other threshold value. In some embodiments, the set-point value is increased by a relatively small amount, for example on the order of about 1 kW for an industrial location. The process sequence 1300 then proceeds back to step 1305 and continues until an optimized solution is obtained in which the state of charge of the distributed energy storage system 103 is reduced below a desired minimum or other threshold value.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a process sequence 1400 used by the solution engine 1036 to generate a solution of optimal set-points and battery curves for a distributed energy storage system 103. Additional steps may be added to or eliminated from the process sequence 1400 as needed without exceeding the scope of the invention.

The process sequence 1400 begins at step 1401, in which the solution engine 1036 collects the current battery curve strategy and battery parameters (e.g., battery power, maximum charge capacity, etc.) for a distributed energy storage system 103.

In step 1402, the solution engine 1036 determines an appropriate battery curve strategy for the distributed energy storage system 103. Specifically, the solution engine 1036 selects one of a flat, stepped, continuously varying, or forecasted battery curve, based on previous behavior (i.e., historical load telemetry) for the distributed energy storage system 103 of interest. Other configurations of battery curve may also be selected by the solution engine 1036 in step 1402. Therefore, in one example, as the state-of-charge of the energy source 224 drops due to an increased load the system controller 210 will provide power to the electric load location 104 based on the control strategy defined by the battery curve.

FIG. 15A illustrates one embodiment of a flat battery curve 1510. As shown, flat battery curve 1510 includes multiple target state-of-charge curves 1511. Each of the target state-of-charge curves 1511 indicates a target minimum state-of-charge for a distributed energy storage system 103 over a specific time period, for example for a single 24-hour period. In other words, each target state-of-charge curve 1511 provides a threshold state-of-charge value at any point in time. When state-of-charge is below this threshold value, the distributed energy storage system 103 is considered to be below an expected state-of-charge and helps to define how strongly the distributed energy storage system 103 should currently react to the changing state-of-charge so that the distributed energy storage system 103 can effectively respond to the current demand while also retaining enough energy to eliminate demand spikes at critical times later in the day. Consequently, in response to a current state-of-charge of the distributed energy storage system 103 falling below a target state-of-charge curve 1511, the system controller 210 adjusts demand set-point (e.g., a demand set-point curve 301), so that the distributed energy storage system 103 can still meet expected later demand.

As the current state-of-charge of the distributed energy storage system 103 falls below additional target state-of-charge curves 1511, the system controller 210 continues to adjust demand set-points. In some embodiments, such a set-point change is linear. For example, for each target state-of-charge curve 1511 that the current state-of-charge falls below, demand set-points are changed by the same amount, e.g., +1 kW. In other embodiments, such a set-point change can increase in a non-uniform fashion, such as a proportional response that increases as the current state-of-charge falls below additional target state-of-charge curves 1511. For example, for the first target state-of-charge curve 1511 that the current state-of-charge falls below, demand set-points are changed by +1 kW, for the second +5 kW, for the third +12 kW, and so on.

As shown in FIG. 15A, the target state-of-charge curves 1511 of the flat battery curve 1510 are substantially flat, and therefore do not vary with time. The flat battery curve 1510 has been shown to be effective on commercial load site profiles with high volatility, i.e., multiple demand peaks separated by periods of relatively low demand.

FIG. 15B illustrates one embodiment of a stepped battery curve 1520. As shown, the stepped battery curve 1520 has a variable set-point. Specifically, the stepped batter curve 1520 includes multiple discontinuous target state-of-charge curves 1521, each indicating a target minimum state-of-charge for a distributed energy storage system 103 over a specific time period. Similar to the flat battery curve 1510, the stepped battery curve 1520 includes multiple curves (e.g., the target state-of-charge curves 1521) for any given time. Also, for any particular time period, any two target state-of-charge curves 1521 vary by a constant amount with respect to time, since each of the target state-of-charge curves 1521 is a substantially horizontal line segment. However, separation between adjacent target state-of-charge curves 1521 may be uniform. For example, target state-of-charge curves 1521A and 1521B may be separated by the same quantity of charge (e.g., 5% of battery charge) as target state-of-charge curves 1521B and 1521C. Alternatively, and as illustrated in FIG. 15B, separation between adjacent target state-of-charge curves 1521 may be non-uniform, for example proportional to distance from the highest target state-of-charge curve 1521. Unlike the flat battery curve 1510, the value of the target state-of-charge curves 1521 vary with time, and can therefore be tailored to address multiple heavy demand periods within predictable periods of a day or certain days of the week. Consequently, each of target state-of-charge curves 1521 may be a discontinuous function, as shown in FIG. 15B. In some embodiments, a stepped battery curve 1520 is used to optimize the performance of a distributed energy storage system 103. Thus, the general configuration of a stepped battery curve 1520 can be selected to manage how aggressive a distributed energy storage system 103 responds to changes in predicted load. Therefore, stepped battery curve 1520 can be configured to encourage distributed energy storage system 103 to maximize reduction in short-term spikes in demand or to maximize reduction in overall energy use at an electric load location 104. As illustrated in FIG. 15B the system will react more aggressively to changing load during the 10:00 to 16:00 time period versus the 0:00 to 7:00 and 18:00 to 24:00 time periods. Therefore, the distributed energy storage system will appropriately respond to demand in the less critical times, so that it can retain enough energy to eliminate demand spikes at the critical and/or costly times of the day (i.e., 10:00 to 16:00 at this electric load location).

FIG. 15C illustrates one embodiment of a continuously varying battery curve 1530. As shown, the continuously varying battery curve 1530 includes multiple target state-of-charge curves 1531, each indicating a target minimum state-of-charge for a distributed energy storage system 103 over a specific time period. Unlike stepped battery curve 1520, the target state-of-charge curves 1531 are continuous curves, and each of which may have a variable spacing in continuously varying battery curve 1530. As illustrated in FIG. 15C the system will react more aggressively to changing load during the 10:00 to 16:00 time period versus the 0:00 to 5:00 and 22:00 to 24:00 time periods. Therefore, the distributed energy storage system will appropriately respond to the demand in the less critical times, so that it can retain enough energy to eliminate demand spikes at the critical and/or costly times of the day (i.e., 10:00 to 16:00 at this electric load location).

In some embodiments, flat battery curve 1510, stepped battery curve 1520, and/or continuously varying battery curve 1530 may be a forecasted battery curve. Forecasted battery curve are formed by use of the forecast information received and analyzed by the solution engine, and provides an improved control in cases where the system can use the forecast information to prevent the system from over-reacting to expected periods of high use. Forecasted battery curves may be used effectively when load profiles have large energy events for sustained periods of time. In some embodiments, a forecasted battery curve may include an adjustable recovery period that can be configured to ensure complete recovery of the distributed energy storage system 103. An example of an adjustable recovery period 1533 is shown in FIG. 15C.

Returning to FIG. 14, in step 1403, after an appropriate battery curve strategy (flat, stepped, continuously varying, forecasted) for the distributed energy storage system 103 has been determined by the solution engine 1036, the solution engine 1036 collects information regarding the configuration of the distributed energy storage system 103.

In step 1404, the solution engine 1036 retrieves a simulation for the period of interest, such as an upcoming billing cycle, the remainder of the current business day, etc. As described above in conjunction with FIG. 13, the simulation can be generated by the simulation engine 1035, and the solution result may include default, optimized, and current simulation results.

In step 1405, the solution engine 1036 constructs aggregated state-of-charge battery curves. Specifically, the default, optimized, and current battery curves from the simulation results are combined. For example, in some embodiments, a median value of the default, optimized, and current battery curves is constructed. In some embodiments one or more of the default, optimized, and current battery curves are weighted differently. In some embodiments, the aggregated state-of-charge battery curve can be constructed using information from the default, optimized, and current battery curves (e.g., maximum and minimum values, etc.) in other ways as well. For example, in one embodiment, the default, optimized, and current battery curves are used to generate a maximum, minimum and median value at each time interval, and then a maximum, a minimum, and a median battery curve are constructed.

In step 1406, the solution engine 1036 constructs a battery curve using the selected strategy. For example, to construct a flat battery curve, the solution engine 1036 may use maximum and minimum state-of-charge values determined in step 1405 and then select intervening target state-of-charge curves, similar to target state-of-charge curves 1511 in FIG. 15A, using a resolution parameter that defines separation between each target state-of-charge curve. To construct a stepped battery curve, the solution engine 1036 may use the minimum state-of-charge values determined in step 1405 to calculate a maximum state-of-charge battery curve substantially similar to one of target state-of-charge curves 1521 in FIG. 15B. To construct a forecasted battery curve, the solution engine 1036 may construct a master battery curve substantially similar to one of target state-of-charge curves 1531 in FIG. 15C. The solution engine 1036 may use a combination of the default, optimized, and current battery curves included in the solution result from the simulation engine 1035.

In step 1407, the solution engine 1036 outputs a set-point array (e.g., demand set-point curves 301) and a flat, step, continuously varying, or forecasted battery curve (e.g., battery state-of-charge curves 302).

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a process sequence 1600 used by the optimization engine 1031 to generate and distribute an optimal battery curve for a distributed energy storage system 103. The optimization engine 1031 may perform process sequence 1600 periodically (e.g., once each month, day, billing period, etc.) to determine an optimized solution for the next such period. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the optimization engine 1031 may be used as part of an intervention, in which a distributed energy storage system 103 is unable to maintain a specified state-of-charge and requires updated battery curves and/or demand set-point curves for a remaining portion of a day, billing cycle, month, etc. In addition, in some embodiments, the optimization engine 1031 may be used to perform a reconciliation, in which the optimization engine 1031 audits the performance of a distributed energy storage system 103 using historical data. Additional steps may be added to or eliminated from the process sequence 1600 as needed without exceeding the scope of the invention.

The process sequence 1600 begins at step 1601, in which the optimization engine 1031 determines whether a scheduled job, an intervention, or a reconciliation is requested. If a scheduled job is being performed, the process sequence proceeds to step 1611, if an intervention is being performed, the process sequence proceeds to step 1621, and if a reconciliation is being performed, the process sequence proceeds to step 1631.

In step 1611, the optimization engine 1031 receives a solution result from the solution engine 1036 and sends the solution result to the appropriate distributed energy storage system 103. The solution result may be a job that is performed on a monthly schedule, a daily schedule, based on a billing cycle, etc.

In step 1621, in which a software intervention is being performed, the optimization engine 1031 confirms that an intervention should be performed for the distributed energy storage system 103. For example, if an intervention has already been performed very recently for the same distributed energy storage system 103, the optimization engine 1031 may wait for a specified delay time before performing another intervention to allow the previous intervention to take effect.

In step 1622, the optimization engine 1031 generates a forecasted solution for the remainder of a current time period (e.g., for the remainder of a business day). In some embodiments, more up-to-date external data, such as weather data, may be incorporated into the forecasted solution.

In step 1623, the optimization engine 1031 sends the forecasted solution, which may include a set-point array (e.g., demand set-point curves 301) and/or a flat, stepped, continuously varying, or forecasted battery curve (e.g., battery state-of-charge curves 302) to the distributed energy storage system 103.

In step 1631, in which a reconciliation is being performed, the optimization engine 1031 collects historical load data for the distributed energy storage system 103 for the current billing cycle, for example from the site telemetry data store 1043.

In step 1632, the optimization engine 1031 calculates maximum demand for each period of the utility tariff.

In step 1633, the optimization engine 1031 updates the distributed energy storage system 103 with the maximum demand values determined in step 1632.

It is noted that the same concept of preparing a matrix of temporally synchronized charge state and demand set-point data in order to manage a distributed energy storage system can be applied to other embodiments. For example, a grid operator may use such data to control other distributed resources, such as a hydroelectric facility trying to match a certain changing demand while also maintaining a certain water level in the upstream reservoir. The same concept could be used for a municipal water district trying to maintain a certain reservoir level and/or water pressure at an autonomously controlled storage facility. The same concept could also be used to control a demand response system at a large electric load where the “battery” state is the demand reduction availability.

The process of managing an autonomous storage device can have other applications as well. Specifically, any system where a variable demand is preferred to be constant and a distributed supply resource, such as stored energy in the form of compressed air, electricity, or water for example, is used to create this consistency could benefit from this sort of control system. Furthermore, this process is not restricted by size of the supply or demand. For example, a substation configured with an autonomous storage system could automatically balance varying circuit loads by using this process, just as well as a single commercial site could use this system to balance its load. As an additional example, a hydroelectric facility (whether pumped storage or not, whether micro hydro or larger) could benefit from an autonomous control system to balance varying demands and circuit loads with the appropriately forecasted load data and intelligently generated operating parameters. Municipal water (both waste and drinking) could also benefit from such a control method. Water level, water pressure, and electricity generation are all examples of demands that such a control method could help keep constant with a distributed resource.

This energy storage configuration solution does not necessarily have to be used only at local sites behind electric utility meters. The same methods could be used for storage systems distributed across many locations and electric grids, such as one or more of the electric load locations illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 18 (discussed below). These storage systems would need to communicate back to a central operations center 109 via a communication link 109A, which may use one of several networks, such as a wireless cellular network or a wireless wide area Wi-Fi network, cable or fiber optic networks or a wired telephone network.

The discovery and configuration method could be used for storage systems whose storage medium is something other than stored electricity. Embodiments of the invention, could also be used to control the input and/or output of thermal storage systems or water storage systems, such as pumped hydroelectric generation.

Grid Power and Frequency Controlling Method and Apparatus

As noted above, the stability of the electrical power grid has been changing with an increase in the use of wind and solar generators (e.g., photovoltaic devices) that are not equipped with governors and displace the quantity of power generated by traditional synchronous type power generators. Not only is wind and solar generation unpredictable, but these generators also have no automatic synchronous response during the process of delivering power to the grid, which creates a significant and growing need for automatic frequency balancing grid-connected devices.

Some embodiments of the invention use networked distributed energy storage systems 103 (FIG. 18) located either behind utility meters at one or more electric load sites 104 or installed at interconnection points along the transmission and electric power distribution grid 102 to provide a way of automatically balancing the frequency (e.g., 60.000 Hz in North America) of at least part of a local electric grid. Simply, these distributed energy storage systems 103, which are in communication with each other, discharge (inject power) into the grid 102 during an under frequency event (e.g., measured frequency is less than desired) and charge (withdraw power) from the grid 102 during an over frequency event (e.g., measured frequency is greater than desired).

FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating an example of an electric grid frequency excursion event versus time, in which the measured frequency 1701 on the electric grid 102 starts to droop due to a failure or rapid drop in power being delivered to the grid 102 from one or more connected power generators or other power sources. In one example, the rapid power drop may be due to a power generator going off-line, clouds blocking light from reaching solar cells at a solar farm or a sudden drop in wind speed at a wind farm. In general, one or more sensors 310 (FIGS. 3 and 18) will generally detect a change in the grid frequency and transmit a signal to the operations center 109, and/or one of the networked distributed energy storage systems 103, letting them know of the frequency change. Then one or more of the distributed energy storage systems 103 inject power into the grid 102 during an under frequency event or withdraw power from the grid 102 during an over frequency event to correct for the detected frequency excursion. Referring to FIG. 17, by use of one or more of the hardware configurations and methods disclosed herein, the rapid reaction of the networked distributed energy storage systems 103 are able to slow and then return the measured frequency 1701 of the transmitted power on the electric grid 102 back to a desired level. In one example, the control system hardware, such as the system controllers 210 in each distributed energy storage systems 103, are able to react to information received from a sensor 310 or the operations center 109 regarding a shift in grid frequency on a second or sub-second time scale (e.g., ≦1 second). The sensors 310 may be adapted to measure the frequency, voltage, current, phase angle, power factor, complex power attributes and/or other useful attributes of the power flowing through the grid 102.

As noted above, each of the distributed energy storage systems 103 that are networked together may receive a control strategy computed by the optimization engine 1031 that includes grid services instructions, which allow the distributed energy storage systems 103 to perform its local task of controlling the power fluctuations at an electric load location 104 and also provide support to the electric grid 102. The grid services instructions may include directed and/or automatic frequency regulation, voltage support, power oscillation damping control support and demand response commands, which typically do not disrupt the control loop that is optimizing the power provided to local premise load(s), and are used to allow the distributed energy storage system 103 to help support and resolve issues that arise on the greater electrical grid, which is outside of the commercial electric load location 104.

FIG. 18 illustrates a plurality of distributed energy storage systems 103 that are located either behind utility meters 201 at one or more electric load sites 104 (not shown in FIG. 18) and/or installed at interconnection points along the transmission and electric power distribution grid 102, according to one embodiment of the invention. The distributed energy storage systems 103 may be in communication with other distributed energy storage systems 103 distributed along the electric grid 102 and may be in communication with an operations center 109. One or more sensors 310 (FIG. 3) and devices 331 (FIG. 3) are positioned and configured to measure the amount of power and the frequency of the power delivered through different regions of the electric grid 102. The sensors 310 may be in communication with a local distributed energy storage systems 103 via the link 311 (FIG. 3) and/or the operations center 109 via the communication link 109C (e.g., wired or wireless communication link).

During operation, in some embodiments, it is desirable that the distributed energy storage systems 103 not respond to frequency measurement signals received from just local sensors, as these could simply be the result of local electric grid events and could incorrectly initiate a frequency response or correction mode from the distributed energy storage system 103. The frequency response mode typically includes controlling the charging or discharging of the energy source in the distributed energy storage system 103 in order to offset undesirable fluctuations in the larger electric grid frequency. Instead, the distributed energy storage systems 103 generally need to monitor several points in a transmission or distribution segment of the electrical power grid in order to determine if a wide-scale event has occurred on the electric grid. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 18, three sensors 310 are positioned along the electric grid 102 to monitor and determine the fluctuations in the electric grid 102. In this example, the three sensors 310 have measured a grid frequency of 59 Hz, which is less than the desired 60 Hz grid frequency. Therefore, in response to the under frequency event the distributed energy storage systems 103 deliver a controlled delivery of power 1801 (e.g., current flow) to the grid 102 to help correct this problem.

The determination that a wide scale event has occurred may be made via a voting scheme, which is performed by central command, or operations center 109 (FIG. 18). For example, if a sudden frequency change is noticed at several geographically disparate monitoring sites (e.g., sensors 310), it can be assumed that a power generator or several importing transmission lines have failed and the distributed energy storage systems 103 should then enter frequency response mode. The distributed energy storage systems 103 could communicate directly with the frequency monitoring sites (e.g., sensors 310) or the operations center 109. The operations center 109 can be configured to monitor all the frequency monitoring sites and make decision regarding when one or more (e.g., 3 out of 4) of the distributed energy storage systems 103 should enter frequency response mode. Additionally, a grid operator could provide a signal to the operations center 109 and/or the distributed energy storage systems 103 that provides information as to when and in what direction and magnitude that the frequency response is needed. This communication would likely happen through a wireless cellular network or a wired telephone or internet connection, such as links 109A discussed above.

In general, the distributed energy storage systems 103 will need to respond in the second or sub-second timeframe in order to respond to the instantaneous changes in power provided by renewable energy generation sources (e.g., wind, solar). This requires that they have real-time or near real-time communication with a command source, such as the operations center 109 and/or provided frequency response signal from an external source (e.g., grid operator). All of the local distributed energy storage systems 103 at an electric load site 104 will also need to be synchronized so that they discharge or charge at nearly the same time. Typically, a single small distributed energy storage system 103 will have little effect on overall grid frequency, but when multiple small energy storage systems 103 are synchronized, several megawatts (MW) of grid storage can make an impact on grid frequency. In some embodiments, a distributed energy storage systems 103 are each able to provide approximately 90 kW-hrs of energy per customer site to the electric grid. Therefore, 50 distributed energy storage systems 103 would be able to provide approximately 1 MW of power correction instantaneously over the course of an hour. If the outputs of the distributed energy storage systems are not synchronized, their frequency effects could cancel each other out or cause additional supply and demand imbalances and further exacerbate the original problem. This synchronization would most easily occur if they are connected in near real-time with the operations center 109 that is monitoring grid frequency and/or a grid operator frequency response signal. This operations center 109 would then send down the synchronized frequency response discharge or charge commands to the distributed energy storage systems 103.

This synchronized response will also have the ability to respond in a similar fashion as a synchronous generator, having programmable characteristics such as droop speed control (e.g., control the rate of frequency droop) and response time. These synchronous generator characteristics reside in a software program that a processor in the control system in the operations center 109 uses to control the frequency of the grid. The operations center 109 can utilize the system controller 210 in the distributed energy storage devices 103 in such a way as to deliver power such that it appears to have come from a standard synchronous generator. Due to the massive amount of rotating mass in traditional synchronous generators, these generators have a significant amount of inertia that both helps and harms their ability to compensate for changing load conditions. In some cases, the synchronized distributed energy storage systems 103 can be programmed to have complementary power delivery control and speed characteristics relative to traditional synchronous generators to help coordinate and control response to grid frequency excursion events. In some embodiments, the distributed energy storage systems 103 are able to, but will not necessarily, respond in a simple “all on” or “all off” scenario. In one example, the runtime controller 206 in multiple distributed energy storage systems is programmed to deliver or absorb power at a desirable rate or profile to help stabilize the power flowing through the larger electric grid.

As noted above, to perform the local control at the electric load location 104 and provide grid services support, the droop controller 330 within the system controller 210 in each of the distributed energy storage systems 103 is configured to receive frequency measurements from a sensor 310 and a device 331 that are coupled to the electric grid 102 via a wired or wireless communication link 311. The measured frequency is compared to the nominal grid frequency for the operating region, for example in the United States it would be compared to 60.000 Hz. When commanded to be in frequency regulation mode from the distributed system gateway 325 (FIG. 3), if the frequency of the grid is below the nominal frequency and out of specified dead band tolerance and corresponding time delay the droop controller 330 will adjust the offset controller 208 (FIG. 3) so that commands to the energy source 224 in the distributed energy storage systems 103 are altered to increase the discharge rate. Alternatively, when the grid frequency is measured to be greater than 60.000 Hz the commands to the energy source 224 in the distributed energy storage systems 103 can be altered to store energy at a greater rate than required. The response characteristics, such as the speed and magnitude of the response, are parameters that are controlled by the distributed system gateway 325. The distributed system gateway 325 can be a cloud-based interface and controller that allows for specific and taylored grid services commands to be sent to the distributed energy storage system 103 outside of the control of optimization engine 1031. Thus, the droop controller 330, much like the offset controller 208, can be used as a higher-level system override of the control provided by the system controller 210 in each of the distributed energy storage systems 103. In one example, each of the distributed energy storage systems 103 are able to control and/or minimize the amount of fluctuation in demand at its electric load location 104. An opt-out feature may also be required to avoid any impact on an electric load location customer's demand management requirement, if such a requirement exists. In some embodiments, the local demand management could be overridden to force the distributed energy storage system to respond immediately to the frequency response signal.

FIG. 19 depicts a flow diagram of a method 1900 that may be used by the system controller 210 in a distributed energy storage system 103 to respond to a frequency response signal received from the operations center 109 or a sensor 310. In general, when on-line the control components (e.g., system controller 210) in the distributed energy storage systems 103 are always listening to determine if a frequency response signal is received (Step 1902). The frequency response signal may be received directly from a sensor 310 or from the operations center 109. Next at step 1904, the system controller 210 then checks and determines if the received signal calls for a charge event or a discharge event, depending measured on the frequency of the detected signal. The distributed energy storage systems 103 then checks its current mode 1906, 1912 (charging, discharging, or idle) of operation and responds appropriately, using at least the droop controller 330 and/or off-set controller 208, which are discussed above.

In one example of the method 1900, if a distributed energy storage system 103 is in charge mode (consuming energy from the grid 102) for the purposes of managing local demand at an electric load location and it receives a command (step 1902) to enter frequency response-charge mode, the distributed energy storage system 103 would then continue to charge. Graphically, as shown in FIG. 19, this control process would follow the steps 1902, 1904, 1912 (far left path), 1916 and then back to 1902, where this process could then be repeated until the grid event was resolved.

Similarly, in another example, if the same distributed energy storage system 103 was in discharge (supply) mode, it would wait until a charging event was required and then charge if the frequency response-charge mode was still active. This control process would follow the steps 1902, 1904, 1912 (far right path), and then back to 1902. In some cases, the control system may recursively repeat this cycle until the system switches to a charging mode or until the frequency correction response is not required.

In another example, if a distributed energy storage system is in discharge mode (injecting energy into the grid) for the purposes of managing local demand and it receives a command to also enter frequency response-discharge mode, the distributed energy storage system would continue to discharge. As shown in FIG. 19, this control process would follow the steps 1902, 1904, 1906 (far right path), 1910 and then back to 1902. This process sequence could then be repeated until the grid event was resolved.

Similarly, if the same distributed energy storage system was in charge mode and it received a command to also enter frequency response-discharge mode, it would wait until a discharging event was allowed or required and then discharge if the frequency response-discharge mode was still active. This control process would follow the steps 1902, 1904, 1906 (far left path) and then back to 1902. The control system may recursively repeat this cycle until the system switches to a discharging mode or until the frequency correction response is not required.

If the distributed energy storage system is in idle mode, it has battery capacity available, and it receives a command to enter frequency response mode, it would charge or discharge power to the electric line depending on what frequency response mode is required. In one example, if the distributed energy storage system received a command to enter frequency response-discharge mode the control process would follow the steps 1902, 1904, 1906 (middle path), 1910 and then back to 1902. In another example, if the distributed energy storage system received a command to enter frequency response-charge mode the control process would follow the steps 1902, 1904, 1912 (middle path), 1916 and then back to 1902.

Finally, if there is generation, such as a wind turbine or solar PV panels, at the storage site, the distributed energy storage system 103 could work with these power generating components in such a way as to minimize the amount of oversupply during an over frequency event or minimize the affect of low power generation and supply in an under frequency event. For example, if there is an over frequency event and the local on-site generation is generating power, the local distributed energy storage system 103 could enter charge mode in order to absorb this excess generation and help mitigate this over frequency scenario. Additionally, the distributed energy storage system 103 could have direct control over the local generation's inverter so as to connect and disconnect it from the grid in order to respond to frequency events. This control could be a simple electrically controlled switch on the grid input side of the local generation, or the control could occur via software execution through the local generation's controller, or through use of the system controller 210 in the distributed energy storage system 103. This switching would likely be controlled from the local distributed energy storage system's control and communications device, but could also be controlled from an external central command center.

This method for mitigating frequency imbalances could be used over any geographic area, whether within city limits or across interconnected grid spanning across the country.

Apparatus and Methods for Controlling Power Oscillations in an Electric Grid

As discussed above, during grid events, which may be created by electrical supply disruption or renewable energy source variability, electricity generation from the power generators can cause the system to become out of step, or sync, both due to the time it takes for power to travel over long distances and the power angle difference seen by the system with different reaction speeds at which generators respond to meet these demand and supply changes, which effect system frequency. These events may be caused by transmission line failure, which disrupts supply, direct generator failure, the normal variability found with the generation of power created by renewable sources, or other similar power supply interruption events. Therefore, the relative power angle becomes out of sync across geographically disparate areas (e.g., angular difference in the phasor angles of voltages at different points along a transmission system), and resulting power oscillations occur in the electric grid. The power oscillations create swings in the amount of power cycling back and forth on the transmission and distribution lines that can both damage transmission and distribution equipment and create additional energy losses in the power lines, thereby causing engineer de-rating of the grid's transmission capacity to avoid future undamped oscillation conditions. Therefore, there is a need for a system that can help damp or minimize the oscillations in the energy flow through at least a portion of the electrical power grid that occur due to normal or abnormal power generation or power transmission events. Damping oscillations will help to avoid any uncontrolled swings on the electric grid that can cause interconnection wide blackouts.

Therefore, some embodiments of the invention, use networked distributed energy storage systems 103 (FIGS. 1, 18 and 21) located either behind utility meters at electric load sites or installed at interconnection points along the transmission and distribution grids to provide a means for eliminating these unwanted oscillations in the energy flowing through the power grid, such as the local electrical grid 2106 or the electric power distribution grid 102. The unwanted oscillations in the energy flowing through the electric grid can be detected by measuring the relative phase angle difference between at least two points on the electric grid. One will note that the relative phase angle difference between different points on the electric grid will vary with time when a power oscillation occurs on the electric grid, since the currently observed oscillations on the grid are generally a fraction (e.g., 0.25, 0.6 or 0.7 Hz) of the nominal frequency of the power system. As more and more renewable energy sources are attached to the electric grid, the oscillations may also include other harmonic and sub-nominal oscillatory power swings, which are created by the typically non-synchronous power delivered from these types of power generators. A distributed energy storage system 103 may also include one or more sensors, or sensor 310 (FIG. 3), that are each coupled to an interconnection point along the transmission grid and distribution grid. Therefore, two or more sensors 310 that are distributed at different points on the electric grid can be used to detect and control the oscillations in the energy flowing through the electric grid. In some configurations, one sensor 310 may be associated with a distributed energy storage system(s) 103. However, in some configurations, a plurality of sensors 310 may be associated with each of the distributed energy storage systems 103. Typically, extremely fast-acting, synchronized bidirectional power converters 225 that can react to changes in the electric system on a second or sub-second interval of time basis are needed to resolve these types of grid problems. In one embodiment, the system controller 210 uses the sensor(s) 310 and other control electronics found in the distributed energy storage system(s) 103 to control the timing, power delivery waveform, power angle and/or flow of current to the power grid 102 from the energy source 224 and/or from the power grid 102 to the energy source 224. Also, because the magnitude of the power oscillations in a typical grid 102 can be very large, in some embodiments, many distributed energy storage system 103 may be controlled and operated in unison to control and/or minimize the amount of power oscillation in the grid 102. To enable the coordinated effort, the distributed energy storage systems 103 may be in communication with each other and/or may each be in communication with an operations center 109. One will note that due to the often large power oscillations, many distributed energy storage system 103 are generally required, since typically a single storage device will not have enough power delivery or absorption capacity to affect the overall system power flow and power oscillations in a typical grid 102.

In practice, the unwanted oscillating power, which is typically a sinusoid, can be canceled by injecting or withdrawing energy at the correct point in time, using a desired waveform and/or desired delivery duration, to counteract the oscillations found in the transmission and distribution line within the grid 102. Since the oscillation in the power flowing through the electric grid are sinusoidal and are typically sub cycle and or harmonics of the frequency of the distribution power, the oscillations will include periods of time when the flow of power through the electric grid is larger than desired (e.g., oversupply situation) and periods of time when the flow of power through the electric grid is less than desired (e.g., undersupply situation). For example, when an undersupply situation is detected in the northern part of California, the distributed energy storage systems 103 can be discharged in that area before the under-supply is recognized by generators in southern California. This prevents the generators in southern California from ramping up seconds later and creating an oversupply situation. If an oversupply oscillation occurs, the distributed energy storage system(s) 103 would withdraw a desired amount of power from the grid to reduce the amount of the oversupply. In the case of an undersupply oscillation, the distributed energy storage system(s) 103 would inject a desired amount of power to the grid 102 to reduce the amount of undersupply.

As noted above, each of the distributed energy storage systems 103 that are networked together may receive a control strategy computed by the optimization engine 1031 that includes grid services instructions, which allow the distributed energy storage systems 103 to perform its local task of controlling the power fluctuations at an electric load location 104 and also provide support to the electric grid 102. The grid services instructions may include directed and/or automatic frequency regulation, voltage support, power oscillation damping control support and demand response commands, which typically do not disrupt the control loop that is optimizing the power provided to local premise load(s), and are used to allow the distributed energy storage system 103 to help support and resolve issues that arise on the greater electrical grid, which is outside of the commercial electric load location 104.

Referring to FIG. 21, the oscillations in the power flowing through the transmission lines in the grid 102 can be measured by utilizing synchronized phasor measurements that can be obtained from grid-monitoring devices, which are called synchrophasors 2105. The synchrophasors 2105 generate information relating to the power system's electrical characteristics that can be compared via use of a common time signal (such as those signals collected by NASPI). Synchrophasors can measure and provide information regarding the voltage, current flow, phase angle, frequency and other power system data at a known instant in time at a point on the power grid. Multiple synchrophasors 2105 can be synchronized together by a time stamp signal received by each synchrophasor 2105 from a time source, such as a universal time source. In one example, the information received from the synchrophasors 2105 will include information relating to the phase angle of the voltage measured at a location along the electric grid and some timing information (e.g., time stamp on measured data) that is able to allow the analyzing device, such as the system controller 210 or computing elements in the operations center 109 to compare and analyze the related data.

Synchrophasors 2105 may comprise satellite-synchronized clocks, phasor measurement units, communication equipment, a processor, memory and software. In general, the synchrophasors 2105A-2105C may be configured to communicate with the system controller 210 and/or power monitor 230 in each of the distributed energy storage systems 103 and/or the operations center 109 via a wired or wireless links 109A-109C. Embodiments of the invention can utilize synchrophasor information received from the area grid NASPI system to time when to inject or absorb an amount of power that can dampen and eliminate the unstable grid oscillations.

FIG. 21 illustrates a plurality of distributed energy storage systems 103 and synchrophasors 2105 that are interconnected to different regions of an electrical grid 102, according to one embodiment of the invention. In one example, the synchrophasor 2105A is configured to at least measure the phase angle of the power delivered in a first part of the grid 102, the synchrophasor 2105B is configured to at least measure the phase angle of the power delivered in a second part of the grid 102 and the synchrophasor 2105C is configured to at least measure the phase angle of the power delivered in a third part of the grid 102, as illustrated by the measured values 2115A-2115C. In this example, the synchrophasor 2105A is able to measure a phase angle θ₁ of the complex power vector 2107A, the synchrophasor 2105B is able to measure a phase angle θ₂ of the complex power vector 2107B and the synchrophasor 2105C is able to measure a phase angle θ₃ of the complex power vector 2107C, due to power fluctuations found in the grid 102. Two or more of the measured values 2115A-2115C can then be compared by one or more of the system controllers (e.g., optimization engine 1031, operations center components 109, system controller 210) to determine the relative difference in the phase angle between two or more points on the electric grid to determine the timing and magnitude of the oscillations in the power flowing in the electric grid 102.

During a power transmission oscillation scenario, synchrophasors 2105A and 2105C installed near the two illustrated generators 102A, will detect that both generators 102A have different and fluctuating power angles (e.g., phase angle θ₁ and phase angle θ₃). Information relating to these differing angles at an instant in time, or simply the difference between them, can be used as a signal of when and which of the distributed energy storage systems 103 should be used to inject or withdraw power from the electrical power grid 102.

In some embodiments, the operation center 109 will monitor these synchrophasor derived signals and then send real-time commands to the distributed energy storage systems 103 via the links 109A. In other embodiments, the distributed energy storage systems 103 themselves monitor the generated synchrophasor data using information received from two or more sensors 310 to determine the difference in the phase angle between the measured values and then decide when to inject or absorb power in order to help eliminate the power oscillations. Eliminating these grid instabilities using one or more distributed energy storage systems 103 can help maintain transmission line capacity and, in other cases, expand the currently limited local, statewide or national transmission capacity, such as the California-Oregon Intertie that currently has a reduced capacity of 3000 MW, due to grid stability problems.

The distributed energy storage systems 103 could also communicate directly with one or more of the synchrophasors 2105 themselves and/or the operations center 109, which monitors the data measured by the synchrophasors 2105, so that it can make a decision as to when the distributed energy storage systems 103 should enter oscillation response mode and then send a desired comment to the system controller 210. The distributed energy storage systems 103 may use the information received from the synchrophasors 2105 and/or the command(s) sent from the operations center 109, which is also referred to herein as grid power information, to form a control strategy for the transfer of power between the distributed energy storage systems 103 and electric grid to reduce the oscillations in power in the electric grid.

Additionally, the grid operator could provide a signal to the operations center or the distributed energy storage systems 103 that commands when and how much oscillation response is needed, which typical includes delivering or receiving megawatts (MW) of power. This communication may happen through a wireless cellular network or a wired telephone or internet connection.

In some embodiments, the distributed energy storage systems 103 are configured to respond in the second timeframe, such as less than 10 second time frame, or even less than 1 second timeframe (e.g., 1 ms), in order to respond to the instantaneous changes in the power oscillations found in various parts of the grid 102. This requires that they have real-time or near real-time communication with the operations center 109 or directly receive an oscillation response signal delivered by the grid operator or other operations center 109. The output of the distributed energy storage systems 103 also need to be synchronized so that they discharge or charge in sync, such as at nearly the same time.

Typically, a single small distributed energy storage system 103 will have little effect on overall power oscillation on a grid 102, but when synchronized to act at the same time, several megawatts of grid storage can make a large impact on the oscillations found in the grid. In some embodiments, a distributed energy storage systems 103 are each able to provide approximately 90 kW-hrs of energy per customer site to the electric grid. Therefore, as noted above, 50 distributed energy storage systems 103 would be able to provide approximately 1 MW of power correction instantaneously for a period of an hour.

However, if the distributed energy storage systems 103 are not synchronized, their oscillation effects could cancel each other out or cause additional problems. This synchronization of the distributed energy storage systems 103 would most easily occur if they are connected in near real-time with a operations center 109 that is monitoring synchrophasors 2105 or a grid operator oscillation response signal. The operations center 109 would then send down the synchronized oscillation response discharge or charge commands to the various distributed energy storage systems 103, which are coupled to either local portions of the grid 102 or distributed throughout the overall power grid 102. In one configuration, the distributed energy storage systems 103 all communicate with each other through a wireless cellular network or a wired telephone or internet connection. In one configuration, a synchrophasor 2105 signal, a signal from a grid operator or a signal from a operations center 109 is received by at least one of the distributed energy storage systems 103, which then transmits and distributes the signal, and/or other important information (e.g., control parameters or other similar information), to the other wired or wirelessly connected distributed energy storage systems 103.

FIG. 22 depicts a flow diagram of a method 2200 that may be used by the system controller 210 in a distributed energy storage system 103 to respond to a grid oscillation response mode signal received from the operations center 109 or two or more sensors 310. In general, when on-line the control components (e.g., system controller 210) in the distributed energy storage systems 103 are always listening to determine if a grid oscillation response mode signal is received (Step 2202). Next at step 2204, the system controller 210 then checks and determines if the received signal calls for a charge event or a discharge event, which will depend on the state of the fluctuation of the power seen on the grid 102. The distributed energy storage systems 103 then checks its current mode 2206, 2212 (charging, discharging, or idle) of operation and responds appropriately, using at least the droop controller 330 and/or off-set controller 208, which are discussed above. Additionally, the local demand management could be overridden to force the energy storage system to respond immediately to the oscillation response signal.

In one example of the method 2200, if a distributed energy storage system 103 is in charge mode (consuming energy from the grid 102) for the purposes of managing local demand at an electric load location and it receives a command (step 2202) to enter oscillation response mode-charge mode, the distributed energy storage system 103 would then continue to charge. Graphically, as shown in FIG. 22, this control process would follow the steps 2202, 2204, 2212 (far left path), 2216 and then back to 2202, where this process could then be repeated until the grid oscillation event was resolved.

Similarly, in another example, if the same distributed energy storage system 103 was in discharge (supply) mode, it would wait until a charging event was required and then charge if the oscillation response-charge mode was still active. This control process would follow the steps 2202, 2204, 2212 (far right path), and then back to 2202. In some cases, the control system may recursively repeat this cycle until the system switches to a charging mode or until the frequency correction response is not required.

In another example, if a distributed energy storage system 103 is in discharge mode (injecting energy into the grid) for the purposes of managing local demand and it receives a command to enter oscillation response-discharge mode, the distributed energy storage system would continue to discharge. As shown in FIG. 22, this control process would follow the steps 2202, 2204, 2206 (far right path), 2210 and then back to 2202. This process sequence could then be repeated until the grid event was resolved.

Similarly, if the same distributed energy storage system 103 was in charge mode and it received a command to also enter oscillation response-discharge mode, it would wait until a discharging event was allowed or required and then discharge if the oscillation response-discharge mode was still active. This control process would follow the steps 2202, 2204, 2206 (far left path) and then back to 2202. The control system may recursively repeat this cycle until the system switches to a discharging mode or until the frequency correction response is not required.

If the distributed energy storage system is in idle mode, it has battery capacity available, and it receives a command to enter oscillation response mode, it would charge or discharge power to the electric line depending on what oscillation response is required. In one example, if the distributed energy storage system received a command to enter oscillation response-discharge mode the control process would follow the steps 2202, 2204, 2206 (middle path), 2210 and then back to 2202. In another example, if the distributed energy storage system received a command to enter oscillation response-charge mode the control process would follow the steps 2202, 2204, 2212 (middle path), 2216 and then back to 2202.

As discussed above, in configurations where an electric meter 201 in a commercial load location is disposed between the distributed energy storage system 103 and the power grid, the software found in the system controller 210 can be used to control the flow of power to and/or from the commercial load location to make sure that the total electricity cost incurred over a period of time (e.g., month) by the commercial site is lower than if the distributed energy storage device 110 was not present, while also separately minimizing and/or helping to control the oscillations in the external power grid 102.

In one embodiment, the oscillation response can be controlled by the operations center 109. The remote operations center 109 would monitor the syncrophasor signal from two or more geographically separated syncrophasor source nodes (e.g., synchrophasors 2105A and 2105C) on a transmission grid or large distribution grid. The remote operations center would include software and hardware that is adapted to monitor the health of the power delivery on the transmission grid or distribution grid and syncrophasor signals, and makes decisions as to which and when distributed energy storage systems 103 should charge or discharge to mitigate the power oscillations seen on the grid. The remote operations center, or operations center 109, can be configured to control multiple distributed energy storage systems 103 by use of software and/or hardware that resides in one or more locations along one or more parts of the power grid or in the cloud. If a significant phase angle difference is detected, the above charge/discharge oscillation mode would be sent to the system controller 210 at each of the distributed energy storage systems 103 in a regional location. The system controller 210 would then implement the charge or discharge mode and send the measured mode results back to the operations center 109. The measured mode results could be measured by the sensor 310 or power monitor 230. In one example, when a particular synchrophasor is detecting a negative oscillation, the operations center 109 would send an instruction to the regional distributed energy storage systems 103 to discharge in unison for a set amount of time (e.g., on order of several seconds) in order to mitigate this oscillation from traveling through the electric grid and being detected at distant synchrophasor nodes or power generators.

In one embodiment, when in the charge mode, a distributed energy storage system 103 will absorb AC electricity from the grid by converting the absorbed AC into DC electricity and then storing the absorbed energy in the energy source(s) 224, such as batteries. The control of the timing and process of absorbing the incoming energy from the grid during the charging mode operation can be performed by use of a closed-loop control process performed using the system controller 210, power monitor 230, one or more bidirectional power converters 225 and other various control electronics. To mitigate a positive oscillation (e.g., over supply), the distributed energy storage systems 103 would be instructed to charge in order to “flatten” the positive power oscillation. In one embodiment, in the discharge mode, the local controller controls the process of delivering the stored DC energy in the energy source(s) 224 to the power grid by converting the DC power to AC electricity and delivering it to the electric grid by use of one or more bidirectional power converters 225. The control of the timing and process of delivering power to the grid during the discharging mode operation can be performed by use of a closed-loop control process performed using the system controller 210, power monitor 230, one or more bidirectional power converters 225 and other various control electronics. Additionally, an instruction sequence of charging and discharging (or vice versa) for time periods could be sent in order to mitigate both positive and negative oscillations. Typically a short sequence of mitigation injections or absorptions will solve the oscillation problem until a new grid event causes the oscillations to occur again. Also, although the power swings or oscillations may be on the order of a few hundred to a few thousand megawatts of power, the mitigation amount needed to cancel the oscillation may need to be only a few hundred megawatts or less.

The methods described herein could be used for mitigating and eliminating power oscillations could be used over any geographic area, whether within city limits or across the country.

Apparatus and Methods for Stabilizing Power Delivery in an Electric Grid

As noted above, today's electric power grid is increasingly threatened by variable electricity demand and the addition of intermittent supply from different types of power generators, such as renewable energy power generators. These types of uncontrolled supply generators may include, for example, wind and solar generation sources, and controlled fast acting natural gas power generators and fossil fuel power generators. Maintaining a balance between supply and demand is critical to maintaining grid stability and maintaining the system frequency (60 Hz) of the grid. The increased variability created by our increased reliance on renewable and other fast acting power generators will result in utility equipment having shorter lifespan and customer equipment being damaged more frequently as voltage, current and/or power fluctuations become larger in magnitde and more uncontrollable and exceed acceptable power system tolerances. Therefore, there is a need for a system that can help damp or minimize the power fluctuations, power oscillations and/or frequency variations found in at least a portion of the electrical power grid that occur due to normal or abnormal power generation or power supply disruption due to transmission outage events.

FIG. 25 illustrates a plurality of distributed energy storage systems 103 that are in communication with the electrical grid 102 and/or each positioned at an electric load location 104 (FIG. 1), which may be positioned at one or more electric sites 2560, 2570, according to one embodiment of the invention. Embodiments discussed herein use networked distributed energy storage systems 103 located either behind utility meters at one or more electric load sites (e.g., reference numerals 2560 and 2570) or installed at interconnection points along the transmission and electric power distribution grid (FIG. 25) to provide a way of near-instantaneously stabilizing the power delivery and voltage fluctuations on a distribution circuit. The networked distributed energy storage systems 103 can thus be used to counteract rapid changes in the voltage management level, current flow and power created by a power disruption event, such as when the amount of power delivered from fast acting natural gas power generators or renewable energy sources rapidly changes. For example, simply, these networked distributed energy storage systems 103 discharge (inject power as needed) into the grid 102 during a low voltage or a power disruption event, such as when clouds unexpectedly block sun light from making it to one or more solar cells within a solar generation plant 2550, and/or charge (withdraw power) from the grid during an over voltage or unexpected power supply event, such as when the wind blows more than anticipated causing the wind turbines in the wind farm 2540 to generate an oversupply of electricity.

As discussed above, the distributed energy storage systems 103 consist of one or more bidirectional power converters 225 connected to an energy source 224. As noted above, the bidirectional converters allow for the very fast conversion of AC power to DC power during a charging cycle and the very fast conversion of DC power back to AC power during a discharging cycle depending on grid stabilizing needs. The bidirectional power converters 225 may be single-phase devices and can be connected to any of the phases at the electric load location. In some embodiments, the bidirectional power converters 225 can also charge and discharge at a wide range of power levels and at a definable power factor (less than or equal to 1) using a wide range of AC voltages for maximum flexibility to meet the system nominal voltage level.

A controller, such as the system controller 210, makes the operational decisions using software-generated commands and implements these decisions through the use of the bidirectional converters 225 in the power controller 222 (FIGS. 2A-2C). Detectors that are in communication with the distributed energy storage system 103 may include one or more devices that are able to detect and monitor fluctuation (s) in voltage, current and/or power on one or more phases at or near its location on the individual segments of the electric circuits within the electric grid 102. In one example, one or more power monitors 2505, one or more sensors 310 and/or one or more sensors 234 of the power monitor 230 are used to monitor fluctuation (s) in voltage, current and/or power on one or more phases that is in communication with the electric grid 102. The power monitor 2505, which may be similar to the sensors 310, are generally adapted to measure the frequency, voltage, current, phase angle, power factor, complex power attributes and/or other useful attributes of the power flowing through the grid 102 and deliver the measured data via a wired or wireless communication link 109D to the operations center 109 and/or a wired or wireless communication link 2506 to one or more of the distributed energy storage system 103. In some configurations, the power monitor 2505 may also include a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown), memory (not shown), a timing device/clock (not shown), a wired or wireless communication device (not shown) and support circuits (or I/O) (not shown) so that it can detect a fluctuation in power and provide a warning, command signal or other useful information, other than just a measured characteristic of the power flowing through the electric grid (e.g., current, voltage, power, phase angle), to the operations center 109 and/or the other distributed energy storage systems 103.

In order for the distributed energy storage systems 103 to stabilize the fluctuation found in the electric grid 102 effectively, the processing element(s) in the operations center 109 and/or one or more of the system controllers 210 in one or more of the distributed energy storage systems 103 need to be able to receive and process information from many points on a grid distribution circuit at the same time. In one configuration, information collected by each of the detectors (e.g., power monitor 2505, sensor 310, sensor 224) is delivered to the operations center 109 and/or the other distributed energy storage systems 103, so that a coordinated solution can be generated for the fluctuations in the power flow found in the electric grid. In some configurations, the measured data provided via the wired or wireless communication link(s) from the power monitors 2505 includes time information, or a time stamp, provided by use of the processor and timing device/clock. The time information can be used to coordinate and compile the information received from multiple power monitors 2505 so that the received data can be analyzed and compared to better understand the status of the power flowing through at least a portion of the grid at any instant in time.

The ability of the power flow fluctuation controlling system described herein to measure the many geographically distributed points on the electric grid will prevent a false positive (e.g., a local line fault) from setting one or more of the distributed energy storage systems 103 into discharge or charge mode when no actual electric grid problem exists. Additionally, use of the received sensor data allows one or more of the distributed energy storage systems 103 to have locational knowledge of a power distribution event, and then adjust their output with a high degree of accuracy and speed. During operation, the instant a sensor detects an event it can communicate back to one or more of the distributed energy storage systems 103 with a supply stabilization command that will cause the system controller 210 in each of the one or more distributed energy storage systems 103 to take steps to control voltage levels and current flow in at least a portion of the grid 102. Therefore, to provide assistance to or correct problems found on the electric grid, the distributed energy storage systems 103, which are in communication with each other and/or an operations center, are used to form a controlled and coordinated response to the problems seen on the electric grid. The communication could be through either a wired (e.g., Ethernet, phone, etc.) or wireless (e.g., WiFi, cellular networks, etc.) connection. Similarly, in some configurations, the instant a sensor detects an event it can send a supply stabilization command back to the operations center 109, which then relays the command to the system controller 210 in one or more of the distributed energy storage systems 103, so that the distributed energy storage systems 103 can take steps to control voltage levels and current flow in at least a portion of the grid 102.

In one example, one or more of the embodiments discussed herein may be useful for cases where a long distribution circuit is connected to a single substation that has solar generation along the power distribution circuit as well as a large industrial load, such as a mining operation, at the end of the circuit. In this case, the mining operation runs its high demand operations, such as rock crushing, and the sun is covered and uncovered by clouds, which causes the voltage in the electric grid to fluctuate wildly outside (both above and below) of the allowable range for the circuit. These rapid fluctuations in power flowing through the electric grid could damage or negatively affect other distribution customers' equipment.

In one embodiment, portions of the electric grid are outfitted with one or more distributed energy storage systems 103 (see FIG. 25) that provide a means for stabilizing power, current and/or voltage fluctuations therein. Multiple pieces of monitoring equipment, such as the power monitor 2505, can be installed along different parts of a power distribution line within the grid 102, so that they can could provide power fluctuation information to the distributed energy storage systems 103 to make accurate operational decisions regarding the control of the power flowing between the electric load location 104 and within the electric grid 102. In some cases, the power fluctuation information is different and/or separate from the frequency and power oscillation data generated by the sensors 310 or 234, as discussed above. The power monitors 2505 can also separately pass the collected electrical information back to a central operations center 109, so that it can make more intelligent power delivery operational decisions for the one or more of the distributed energy storage systems 103. For example, if the industrial customer 2560, 2570 suddenly enter into a high electricity demand process, one or more of the distributed energy storage systems 103 installed closest to this customer on the grid 102 would detect the voltage drop in the power distribution line and instantly begin discharging energy until the grid voltage has come back to acceptable levels. One will note that the acceptable voltage level is typically predetermined by the local utility and will vary from location to location.

In the case where the clouds unexpectedly uncover the sun and the solar generator suddenly goes from partial capacity to full capacity, the closest distributed energy storage system(s) 103 will detect an overvoltage condition and begin charging in order to take the extra energy off the power distribution line thereby reestablishing circuit voltage to acceptable levels. Additionally, the monitoring equipment, such as the power monitor 2505, could send their data back to an operation center 109, which may have greater computing power than the local system controllers 210 in the distributed energy storage system 103 and access to more historical data, so that it could make intelligent decisions in order to prevent future voltage spikes. For example, the networked operations center 109 could detect a pattern in energy usage from historical monitoring data and instruct the distributed energy storage devices 110 to charge or discharge in order to preemptively mitigate voltage fluctuations. In some case, the historical monitoring data can be used to form one or more of the battery curves (e.g., reference numeral 302 above) used to control the demand spike reduction by one or more of the distributed energy storage system 103.

While the methods described herein may be used to balance fluctuation in power within a local portion of the electric grid, which is a subset or smaller section of the grid 102, the techniques discussed herein could also be used to balance a larger transmission portion of the grid 102 if enough distributed energy storage systems are installed along the electric grid and placed in communication with each other to provide a coordinated response to power fluctuation within the transmission portion of the grid. Also, because the magnitude of the power transmitted through the transmission grid can be very large, in some embodiments discussed herein, many distributed energy storage systems may be controlled and operated in unison to control and/or balance the power flowing through a portion of the grid. In this case, many distributed energy storage systems 103 that can react to changes in the electric system on a second interval of time basis, are used to balance at least portions of the transmission and distribution grid. As noted above, a single small distributed energy storage system 103 will likely have little effect on overall power flowing through the transmission and distribution grid, but when synchronized to act at the same time, several megawatts of grid storage can make a large impact on the grid. If the distributed energy storage systems 103 are not synchronized, their effects could create additional problems. The synchronization of the distributed energy storage systems 103 would most easily occur if they are connected in near real-time with the central operations center 109. This operations center 109 would then send down the synchronized discharge or charge commands to the various distributed energy storage systems 103, which are coupled to either local portions of the grid or distributed throughout the overall power grid. In one configuration, the distributed energy storage systems 103 all communicate with each other through a wireless cellular network or a wired telephone or internet connection so that they can act in a synchronized fashion.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. 

1. A system for managing power flow within a grid, comprising: two or more detectors that are each separately configured to measure a characteristic of electrical power flowing through a portion of an electric grid; a first energy storage device that is in electric communication with a first power line that is in electrical communication with the portion of the electrical grid, wherein the first energy storage device comprises a first energy source and a first bidirectional power converter that is coupled between the first energy source and the first power line; and a first controller that is in communication with the first energy storage device, and is configured to control a transfer of energy between the first power line and the first energy source using the first bidirectional power converter based on a signal received from the two or more detectors.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor coupled to the first power line and configured to monitor the fluctuations in the power transmitted through the first power line, wherein the first controller is configured to receive information from the sensor and is further configured to control the transfer of energy between the first power line and the first energy source using the information received from the sensor.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second energy storage device that is in electric communication with a second power line that is in electrical communication with the portion of the electrical grid, wherein the second energy storage device comprises a second energy source and a second bidirectional power converter that is coupled between the second energy source and the second power line; a second controller that is in communication with the second energy storage device, and is configured to control a transfer of energy between the second power line and the second energy source through the second bidirectional power converter based on a signal received from the two or more detectors; and an operations center that is configured to receive the information from the two or more detectors and deliver a control signal to the first controller and the second controller.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the control signal comprises a notification of a fluctuation in the power flowing through the first power line.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second energy storage device that is in electric communication with the first power line, wherein the second energy storage device comprises a second energy source and a second bidirectional power converter that is coupled between the first energy source and the first power line; and a second controller that is in communication with the second energy storage device, and is configured to control a transfer of energy between the first power line and the first energy source through the first bidirectional power converter based on a signal received from the two or more detectors.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first controller further comprises a first sensor configured to measure an amount of power transmitted through the first power line, wherein the first controller is further configured to control a transfer of energy between the first power line and the first energy storage device based on information measured by the first sensor, wherein the first controller is further configured to receive grid power information derived from measurements made by two or more second sensors, and to control a transfer of energy between the first power line and the first energy storage device based the received grid power information, and wherein the two or more second sensors are configured to measure a characteristic of the electric power flowing through the electric power grid, wherein the characteristic includes a power angle.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprises: a sensor configured to measure a frequency of the power transmitted through the first power line, wherein the first controller is configured to control a transfer of energy between the first power line and the first energy storage device based on the measured frequency information received from the sensor.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first energy storage device further comprises an energy source, and the system further comprises: a second storage device that comprises a second energy source and a second bidirectional power converter that is coupled between the second energy source and the first power line, wherein the first energy storage device further comprises a first communication device and the second energy storage device further comprises a second communication device, and wherein the first communication device is adapted to communicate with the second communication device.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: an optimization engine configured to receive one or more external inputs and create a set of operating parameters based on the one or more external inputs, wherein the first controller is further configured to receive the created operating parameters and use the operating parameters to control an amount of energy flowing through the first power line below a threshold value.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the set of operating parameters are derived from simulations of energy use at an electric load location in which the first energy storage device is disposed, and the simulations are performed by the optimization engine.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more external inputs are selected from a group consisting of weather information, sunrise and sunset information, power usage cost information, utility's billing period, geographic location, local solar production, local incident light, customer type, electric load location building specifications, grid operator data and time data.
 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second energy storage device that is in electric communication with a second power line that is connected to at least a portion of the electric power grid, wherein the second energy storage device comprises a second energy source; and a second controller that is in communication with the second energy storage device and a second sensor configured to measure an amount of power transmitted through the second power line, wherein the second controller is configured to control a transfer of energy between the second power line and the second energy storage device based on information generated by the second sensor, and wherein the second controller is further configured to receive information relating to measurements made by the two or more detectors, and control a transfer of energy between the second power line and the second energy storage device based the received information.
 13. A method of managing power flow within a grid, comprising: monitoring an amount of power flowing through at least two points in a portion of an electric grid; and controlling a transfer of power between a first energy storage device and a power line that is in electrical communication with the portion of the electric grid based on data received by monitoring the amount of power transmitted through each of the at least two points in the portion of the electric grid.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the amount of power flowing through the at least two points at least partially comprises power generated from a power generator, wherein the power generator comprises a renewable source power generator, a natural gas power generator or a fossil fuel power generator.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein controlling the transfer of power further comprises controlling the transfer of power between a second energy storage device and the electric power line based on data received by monitoring the amount of power flowing through the power line, wherein the second energy storage device comprises a second energy source and a second bidirectional power converter that is coupled between the second energy source and the power line.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein transferring power between the second energy storage device and the electric power line further comprises: controlling the transfer of power between the second energy storage device and the electric power line based on a command sent from an operation center that is in communication with the first and second energy storage devices.
 17. A method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving phase angle information, wherein the received phase angle information is derived from information collected by two or more first sensors that are each configured to measure a phase angle of the power transmitted through at least the portion of the electric grid; and controlling a transfer of power between a plurality of distributed energy storage devices and the electric grid based on information derived from the information collected by the two or more first sensors.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein controlling the transfer of power between the first energy storage device and the power line comprises: generating control parameters based on a simulation that is performed using forecast information; monitor a first rate of energy transfer from an electric line to an electric load location, wherein the electric line is in electrical communication with the portion of the electric power grid; and controlling a second rate of energy transfer between the electric line and the first energy storage device based on the control parameters, wherein controlling the second rate of energy transfer alters the first rate of energy transfer.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the control parameters comprise optimum demand set-points as a function of time and one or more battery curves that comprise a set of time-based battery state-of-charge curves.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein controlling the transfer of power between the first distributed energy storage devices and the electric power grid further comprises: receiving a time stamp signal from a time source; and comparing the time stamp signal with the information derived from the information collected by monitoring the amount of power flowing through the at least two points. 